Senior Brother? Let's deal with the cafeteria first!

Sect Master Tongtian's consciousness slowly receded like a tide, and the magnificent, vast saintly might within the great hall gradually subsided, leaving only the pervasive, innate Dao rhythm still flowing gently.

Xuanwei—he should be called Daoist Xuanwei now—sat cautiously on the fragrant futon in the corner. He felt like a slacker who had just received an admission notice but found himself assigned to the gifted class: excited, anxious, and a little bit... guilty.

"A disciple of a Saint... hehe, hehehe..." He couldn't help but chuckle foolishly in his mind, his immortal qi body rippling with joy. This feeling was ten thousand times better than getting an offer from a top tech company in his previous life! After all, an offer could be rescinded due to optimization, but a Saint's patronage was for life!

However, the system's prompt sound quickly yanked him out of his daydream.

[Main quest updated: Change the fate of the Intercepting Sect. First stage: Golden Immortal cultivation, recognition from three core disciples.]

[Quest time limit: Unknown (but advised to hurry, the Great Tribulation of Investiture of the Gods may arrive sooner than expected).]

[Friendly reminder: Host's current energy level: 18.7%. Converted to standard immortal cultivation: approximately mid-Earth Immortal. To reach Golden Immortal, you still need: Heavenly Immortal, True Immortal, Mysterious Immortal—three major realms.]

[Conclusion: The task is arduous and the road is long. Please stop your foolish giggling and start grinding immediately!]

Xuanwei: "..." This system is becoming less and less cute!

Mid-Earth Immortal? In the Primordial World, where Golden Immortals are as common as dogs and Grand Unity Immortals are everywhere, his cultivation level was barely enough to qualify as cannon fodder. Furthermore, the Intercepting Sect, with its myriad of immortals, was a mixed bag internally, with numerous factions. For him, an outsider with a "shallow" origin and low cultivation, a mere "registered" disciple, to gain the recognition of the core disciples? He knew it would be difficult just by thinking about it!

"Forget it, one bite at a time, one step at a time." Xuanwei collected his thoughts and began to study the introductory chapter of the Supreme Pure Immortal Method passed down by Sect Master Tongtian.

This immortal method, worthy of being personally taught by a Saint, was profound and abstruse, far surpassing the Innate Immortal Qi Origin Method he had fumbled with before. It directly pointed to the origin of the Great Dao, with a particular emphasis on comprehending "vitality" and "change," perfectly aligning with Sect Master Tongtian's doctrine of "intercepting a sliver of life."

He attempted to guide his internal immortal qi and Wutu origin according to the method. It was somewhat obscure at first, as he was accustomed to the system-optimized, more "foolproof" operational routes. But as he calmed himself and gradually immersed himself in the mystical Dao rhythm, he immediately felt a difference!

The dense innate pure qi in the great hall seemed to respond to his call, pouring into his origin with unprecedented efficiency and gentleness. It harmoniously blended with the power of the Wutu Source Core, steadily pushing his cultivation forward. The feeling was like switching from drinking water with a small hose to using a high-pressure water gun—utterly exhilarating!

[Energy level: 19.1%... 19.5%... 20%!]

[Detected that the host is officially cultivating the Supreme Pure Immortal Method, establishing a faint connection with the Intercepting Sect's destiny. Cultivation speed increased by 10%.]

"Tsk tsk, as expected of a Saint's Dojo, VIP cultivation rooms are indeed different!" Xuanwei praised inwardly. At this rate, breaking through to the Heavenly Immortal realm didn't seem so unattainable... Yeah, right!

He cultivated for an unknown amount of time (time was a vague concept in such a place), and felt his cultivation growth gradually slow down. It wasn't due to a lack of Dao rhythm, but rather... the "capacity" and "digestive ability" of his immortal qi origin seemed to be nearing their current limit.

"As expected, just absorbing high-end energy isn't enough; I need to solidify my foundation and broaden my meridians... Uh, I don't seem to have meridians?" Xuanwei scratched his head (a mental action). "It looks like I need to find something practical to practice with, or... get some resources?"

He thought of his previous life's games. Didn't new recruits always get some benefits? Like pills, magic treasures, spirit stones, or something?

Tentatively, he sent a faint wisp of his consciousness towards Sect Master Tongtian, who appeared to be dozing in the center of the hall but was actually in control of everything: "Master... Disciple is new here, I don't know about Golden Ao Island... cough cough, our Intercepting Sect, how do disciples normally obtain their cultivation necessities, such as pills and spirit materials?"

Sect Master Tongtian's consciousness responded lazily, with a tone of "Why are you asking me about such trivial matters?": "My Intercepting Sect accepts all disciples, and they are free to act as they please. Whatever you need, go find it on the overseas immortal islands, trade with fellow disciples, or exchange for it at the market outside Biyou Palace. Here, I only offer the Dao, not pills."

Xuanwei: "..." What a hands-off management style!

Find it yourself? Him, a mere Earth Immortal newbie, venturing to dangerous overseas immortal islands? He'd be delivering food to Yao Beasts! Trade with fellow disciples? He was penniless, what could he trade with? Air? The market? That sounded more reliable, but he needed something to offer!

Fine, he had latched onto a Saint's leg, but the problem of poverty still needed to be solved by himself.

"It seems I have to uphold the fine tradition of us workers—self-reliance and arduous entrepreneurship!" Xuanwei sighed and began to ponder what he could do.

Alchemy? No. Artifact refining? Never learned. Talismans? Completely clueless.

His advantage was... his pure innate immortal qi origin? And the life-nurturing characteristic of the Wutu Source Core?

"Right! Wutu essence is best at nurturing all things! Can I... accelerate the growth of spirit plants?" A thought flashed through his mind. In the novels he read in his previous life, didn't the protagonists get rich by farming?

No sooner said than done! He separated a wisp of immortal qi containing the Wutu origin and carefully injected it next to the futon beneath him, into an unassuming little blade of grass stubbornly growing from the crack in the floor, which was as smooth as a mirror.

The blade of grass, which had only possessed a slight spiritual aura before, became vividly green at a visible speed. Its leaves unfurled, and even a tiny, rice-sized, faintly glowing grass seed formed at its tip!

"It works!" Xuanwei rejoiced inwardly. Although accelerating the growth of a weed was useless, it proved his idea was feasible! If only he could find some spirit herb seeds...

Just as he was envisioning himself becoming the Intercepting Sect's "Spirit Herb Tycoon," using pills to knock out those core disciples and gain their recognition, a slightly curious, muffled voice echoed from the entrance of the great hall:

"Huh? Are you that... little junior brother the Master just accepted?"

Xuanwei "looked up" and saw a young Daoist wearing a bright yellow robe, slightly plump, with a honest face but very lively eyes, curiously sizing him up. The Daoist's aura was profound, far surpassing his own; he was at least a True Immortal.

"Uh, it is I, Xuanwei. Greetings, Senior Brother." Xuanwei quickly got up (hovered up) and asked, "May I ask who you are, Senior Brother?"

"My name is Ma Sui, one of the Seven Attendant Immortals under Master," the plump Daoist introduced himself with a smile, appearing very amiable. "I heard Master accepted a junior brother who attained Dao through innate immortal qi, so I came to see the novelty."

Seven Attendant Immortals? This was a core force of the Intercepting Sect! Xuanwei's heart stirred. This was an opportunity to curry favor!

"So you are Senior Brother Ma Sui! It's an honor!" Xuanwei appeared very enthusiastic. "Senior Brother, you've come at the perfect time. I'm new here and don't understand many of the rules. I was just looking for a Senior Brother to ask for guidance."

Ma Sui was clearly a straightforward person without much guile. He was beaming at Xuanwei's few words of flattery: "No problem, no problem! Our Intercepting Sect doesn't have many strict rules. As long as you don't betray your master or harm fellow disciples, everything else is up to you!"

After a few exchanges, Xuanwei deliberately steered the conversation towards his predicament of lacking cultivation resources.

Upon hearing this, Ma Sui's plump face showed a look of deep empathy: "Isn't that the truth! Our Intercepting Sect has so many disciples, and although there are many resources overseas, they can't sustain so many people. Especially for us who don't have the best origins, it's hard to find suitable spirit materials for alchemy and artifact refining!"

He leaned closer and lowered his voice (mental fluctuation), "But Junior Brother, I'll tell you a way. Behind Biyou Palace, there's an abandoned medicinal garden. It's said that Master planted it casually in the early years but got lazy and let it go wild. The land there has decent spiritual energy, but it's overgrown with weeds and has some stubborn rocks that are hard to clear. If you're interested, you can try cultivating some low-level spirit herbs for your own use, or trade them with other junior brothers and sisters for some items. It's a source of income."

Abandoned medicinal garden? Xuanwei's eyes (mental focus) lit up! Wasn't this a tailor-made startup base for him?!

"Thank you for your guidance, Senior Brother!" Xuanwei expressed his sincere gratitude. This Senior Brother Ma Sui was truly a kind and helpful person!

"Hehe, you're welcome! We fellow disciples should help each other!" Ma Sui waved his hand and curiously asked, "By the way, Junior Brother, what were you doing gesturing at that weed just now?"

Xuanwei's heart stirred slightly, and he decided to show a little of his "value." He once again mobilized a wisp of Wutu essence and injected it into the small blade of grass that had just produced a seed.

Under Ma Sui's astonished gaze, the blade of grass revitalized again. The seed quickly matured, detached, and upon landing, under the nourishment of the Wutu essence, it began to sprout and grow at a slow but clearly visible pace!

"My goodness!" Ma Sui's eyes widened, his plump face filled with amazement. "Junior Brother, you... you have this ability?! Your immortal qi has such a strong nurturing effect?!"

Xuanwei feigned humility and smiled: "It's just a minor skill, not worth mentioning. It's just that my origin is special, and I was fortunate enough to obtain a trace of Wutu origin, so I have some understanding of this path."

"This is no mere parlor trick!" Ma Sui excitedly rubbed his hands together. "Junior Brother, your skill is incredibly useful to disciples like us who need a lot of spirit herbs for alchemy practice! If you can really get that abandoned herb garden in the back mountain up and running, I'll be the first one to trade spirit herbs with you!"

Xuanwei was overjoyed inwardly but remained outwardly calm. "Senior Brother, you flatter me. I will do my best."

After seeing off Ma Sui, who was brimming with excitement as if he had discovered a new continent, Xuanwei felt a surge of ambition.

Changing the fate of the Intercepting Sect begins with revitalizing its logistics! Golden Immortal cultivation, recognition from core disciples? Let me first make a name for myself as the "Intercepting Sect's Number One Spirit Plant Cultivator"!

He could already envision a beautiful future where countless Intercepting Sect disciples would bring him spirit materials, begging him to help them accelerate the growth of their medicinal plants...

However, a cold, scrutinizing thought swept through his senses like a chilling wind:

"Hmph! Taking shortcuts, neglecting proper duties! Since when has our Master's sect needed to rely on such trivial tricks to gain fame?"

Xuanwei's heart tightened, and he followed the thought.

He saw that another Daoist had appeared at the entrance of the great hall at some point. This person had an ancient face, a stern expression, wore an eight-trigram Daoist robe, and possessed an aura as deep as the sea, far stronger than Ma Sui's. He was currently looking at Xuanwei with undisguised disappointment and contempt.

"Eldest Senior Brother Duobao!" Ma Sui quickly bowed respectfully.

Daoist Duobao?! The top disciple of the Intercepting Sect, the future Buddha Shakyamuni?!

Xuanwei's heart skipped a beat.

Well, I just dealt with the mess hall, and here comes the dean of students. It seems the path to becoming the "Intercepting Sect's Eldest Senior Brother" has its first hurdle right before me!