Sect Master Tongtian's consciousness slowly receded like the ebbing tide, and the majestic, boundless saintly might within the hall gradually subsided, leaving only the ever-present innate Dao Rhyme flowing gently onward.
Xuanwei—who should now be called Daoist Xuanwei—carefully "sat" on a fragrant meditation cushion in the corner. He felt like a poor student who had just received an admission letter, only to discover he had been assigned to a class full of geniuses: excited, uneasy, and just a little... guilty.
"A Saint's disciple... Hehe, hehehe..." He could not help laughing foolishly in his mind, and his immortal qi body rippled with delight. This felt ten thousand times better than receiving an offer from a top corporation in his previous life! After all, an offer could be cut during layoffs, but a Saint's thigh was a lifetime guarantee!
But the system notification quickly dragged him out of his daydream.
[Main quest updated: Change the fate of the Interception Sect. Phase One: Golden Immortal cultivation, recognition from three core disciples.] [Time limit: Unknown (but it is recommended that you hurry; the Great Tribulation of Investiture of the Gods may arrive earlier than expected).] [Friendly reminder: Host's current energy level: 18.7%. Converted to standard immortal cultivation: approximately mid-stage Earth Immortal. Distance to Golden Immortal: three major realms—Heavenly Immortal, True Immortal, and Mysterious Immortal.] [Conclusion: The road ahead is long and arduous. Host, please stop grinning foolishly and start grinding immediately!]
Xuanwei: "..."
This system was getting less and less cute!
Mid-stage Earth Immortal? In the Primordial World, where Golden Immortals were everywhere and Grand Unity cultivators roamed the land, his little bit of cultivation barely qualified him to be cannon fodder. Moreover, although countless immortals flocked to the Interception Sect, its ranks were a mixed bag, with factions everywhere. He was an airborne recruit with "shallow" roots, low cultivation, and only the status of a nominal disciple. Earning the recognition of the core disciples? Anyone could tell it would not be easy!
"Forget it. You eat one bite at a time and walk one step at a time." Xuanwei composed himself and began studying the introductory section of the Supreme Pure Immortal Method that Sect Master Tongtian had passed down.
As expected of a method personally taught by a Saint, it was profound and mysterious, far beyond the Innate Immortal Qi Origin Method he had previously fumbled his way through. It pointed directly toward the origin of the Great Dao, particularly emphasizing comprehension of "vitality" and "change." It perfectly matched Sect Master Tongtian's doctrine of "seizing a single thread of life."
He tried guiding the immortal qi within him and the Wutu Source according to the method. At first, it was somewhat awkward, since he was accustomed to the more "idiot-proof" circulation route optimized by the system. But once he calmed down and gradually immersed himself in that wondrous Dao Rhyme, he immediately felt the difference!
The dense innate clear qi within the hall seemed to answer a summons, pouring into his origin with unprecedented efficiency and gentleness. It harmoniously merged with the power of the Wutu Source Core, steadily pushing his cultivation higher. It felt as though he had been drinking through a tiny straw before, only to suddenly switch to a high-pressure water cannon. It was utterly exhilarating!
[Energy level: 19.1%... 19.5%... 20%!] [Detected that the host has officially cultivated the Supreme Pure Immortal Method and formed a faint connection with the fortune of the Interception Sect. Cultivation speed increased by 10%.]
"Not bad. As expected of a Saint's Dojo. A VIP cultivation suite really is different!" Xuanwei praised inwardly. At this rate, breaking through to the Heavenly Immortal realm no longer seemed impossibly far away... Yeah, right!
After cultivating for an unknown period of time—time was rather vague in a place like this—he felt the growth of his cultivation gradually slowing. It was not that there was insufficient Dao Rhyme, but that... the "capacity" and "digestive ability" of his immortal qi origin seemed to be nearing their current limit.
"Sure enough, merely absorbing high-level energy won't work. I also need to consolidate my foundation and broaden my meridians... Uh, I don't think I have meridians?" Xuanwei scratched his head—an action of pure thought. "Looks like I need to find something practical to work on, or... get some resources?"
He recalled how newcomers to a sect in the games from his previous life always received some benefits, right? Pills, magical treasures, spirit stones, that sort of thing?
Tentatively, he sent a faint strand of consciousness toward Sect Master Tongtian, who seemed to be dozing in the center of the hall but was actually in control of everything. "Master... This disciple has only just arrived. May I ask how disciples on Golden Ao Island—cough, cough, in our Interception Sect—usually obtain cultivation supplies, such as pills and spiritual materials?"
Sect Master Tongtian's consciousness replied lazily, with the casual air of someone thinking, You came to ask me about something this trivial? "My Interception Sect teaches without discrimination. Disciples may act as they please. If you need something, seek it out on the immortal islands overseas, trade with your fellow disciples, or exchange for it at the market outside Biyou Palace. I have only the Dao here, not pills."
Xuanwei: "..."
What excellent free-range management!
Seek things out himself? He was a little Earth Immortal rookie. If he ventured onto those perilous immortal islands overseas, would he not simply be delivering takeout to demon beasts? Trade with fellow disciples? He was broke as a joke—what could he trade? Air? The market sounded a little more reliable, but he still needed something worth offering!
Fine. He had secured the Saint's thigh, but he would still have to solve the problem of poverty himself.
"Looks like I'll have to carry forward the fine traditions of us wage slaves—self-reliance and hard work!" Xuanwei sighed and began considering what he could do.
Pill refining? He did not know how. Artifact refining? He had never learned it. Talisman drawing? He had no clue whatsoever.
His advantages were... his relatively pure Innate Immortal Qi origin? And the life-nurturing properties of the Wutu Source Core?
"Right! Wutu Essence is best at nourishing all living things! Could I... cultivate Spiritual Plants?" A thought flashed through his mind. In all those novels he had read in his previous life, did protagonists not always build their fortunes through farming?
He acted immediately! He separated a wisp of immortal qi containing Wutu Source and carefully infused it into an inconspicuous blade of grass that had stubbornly sprouted from a crack in the mirror-smooth floor beside his meditation cushion.
That blade of grass, which had originally possessed only a trace of spirituality, became lush and emerald-green at a visible speed. Its leaves unfurled, and a grain-sized grass seed that emitted a faint glow even formed at its tip!
"It worked!" Xuanwei was delighted. Although cultivating a weed was not particularly useful, it proved that his idea was feasible! If he could find some spiritual herb seeds...
Just as he imagined himself becoming the Interception Sect's "spiritual herb tycoon," using pills to knock out those core disciples and trade for their approval, a slightly curious yet somewhat muffled consciousness suddenly came from the entrance of the hall.
"Eh? Are you the... new junior brother Master just accepted?"
Xuanwei "looked up" and saw a young Daoist in a bright yellow robe. He was somewhat plump, with an honest-looking face, though his eyes were remarkably lively. He was curiously examining Xuanwei. This Daoist's aura was deep and solid, far surpassing Xuanwei's; his cultivation was at least at the True Immortal realm.
"Uh, this one is indeed Xuanwei. Greetings, Senior Brother." Xuanwei hurriedly rose—floating upward. "May I ask who Senior Brother is?"
"My name's Ma Sui, one of Master's Seven Attendant Immortals." The plump Daoist introduced himself with a cheerful smile, appearing quite easygoing. "I heard Master had accepted a junior brother who attained the Dao as Innate Immortal Qi, so I came to see this curiosity for myself."
One of the Seven Attendant Immortals? They were one of the Interception Sect's core forces! Xuanwei's heart stirred. This was a chance to earn some goodwill!
"So it is Senior Brother Ma Sui! Forgive my disrespect!" Xuanwei was exceedingly warm. "Senior Brother came at just the right time. I have only just arrived and do not understand many of the rules. I was hoping to find a senior brother to ask for guidance."
Ma Sui was clearly a straightforward fellow without much guile. A few compliments from Xuanwei left him beaming. "Easy, easy! Our Interception Sect doesn't have so many rotten rules. As long as you don't betray your master and ancestors or harm your fellow disciples, everything else can be done as you please!"
After chatting for a while, Xuanwei deliberately steered the topic toward his lack of cultivation resources.
Upon hearing this, Ma Sui's plump face showed an expression of deep agreement. "Exactly! Our Interception Sect has many disciples. There are plenty of resources overseas, but there are also too many people. Especially those of us whose roots aren't particularly outstanding—it isn't easy to find suitable spiritual materials for pill or artifact refining!"
He leaned closer and lowered his voice—his mental fluctuations. "But, Junior Brother, I'll tell you a way. Behind Biyou Palace, there's an abandoned Medicine Garden. I heard Master planted things there casually in his early years, then abandoned it because he couldn't be bothered tending it. The land's spiritual qi is decent, but weeds are everywhere, and there are some stubborn stones that are hard to clear. If you're interested, you can give it a try. Plant some low-grade spiritual herbs for yourself, or trade them with other junior brothers and sisters. It can be a source of income."
An abandoned Medicine Garden? Xuanwei's eyes—the focal point of his consciousness—lit up! Was this not an entrepreneurial base tailor-made for him?!
"Thank you for your guidance, Senior Brother!" Xuanwei thanked him sincerely. This Senior Brother Ma Sui was truly a warmhearted good person!
"Hehe, don't mention it! We're fellow disciples. We should help each other!" Ma Sui waved a hand, then asked curiously, "By the way, Junior Brother, what were you doing to that weed just now?"
Xuanwei's heart stirred, and he decided to show a little of his "value." Once more, he drew upon a thread of Wutu Essence and infused it into the blade of grass that had just produced seeds.
Under Ma Sui's astonished gaze, the little plant brimmed with life again. Its seeds rapidly ripened and fell, and after landing on the ground, they began to sprout and grow at a slow but distinctly visible pace beneath the nourishment of the Wutu Essence!
"Good heavens!" Ma Sui's eyes widened, his plump face filled with amazement. "Junior Brother, you... you can do this?! Your immortal qi has such powerful nourishing effects?!"
Xuanwei smiled modestly. "Just a minor trick, nothing worth mentioning. This junior's roots are somewhat special, and I was fortunate enough to obtain a trace of Wutu Source, so I have gained a little understanding in this area."
"This is no minor trick!" Ma Sui excitedly rubbed his hands together. "Junior Brother, this ability of yours is incredibly useful for disciples like us who need large quantities of spiritual herbs to practice pill refining! If you can truly get that abandoned Medicine Garden behind the mountain running, I'll be the first to trade with you for spiritual herbs!"
Xuanwei was overjoyed, though his expression remained calm. "Senior Brother flatters me. This junior will certainly do his best."
After seeing off the eager Ma Sui, who looked as though he had discovered a new continent, Xuanwei felt his ambitions soar.
Changing the Interception Sect's fate would begin with revitalizing the sect's logistics! Golden Immortal cultivation and recognition from core disciples? First, he would make the title of "Interception Sect's Number One Spiritual Plant Farmer" famous!
He could practically see the wonderful future where countless Interception Sect disciples came bearing spiritual materials and begged him to help cultivate their medicinal herbs...
However, a cold consciousness carrying a hint of scrutiny swept through his perception like an icy wind.
"Hmph! Seeking shortcuts and neglecting proper cultivation! Since when did Master's disciples need to rely on such petty tricks to make a name for themselves?"
Xuanwei's heart tightened, and he followed the consciousness with his gaze.
At some point, another Daoist had appeared at the entrance of the hall. He had an ancient, weathered face and a stern expression, wearing a Bagua Daoist robe. His aura was unfathomable as the sea, even stronger than Ma Sui's. At that moment, he was staring at Xuanwei with undisguised disappointment and contempt.
"Senior Brother Duobao!" Ma Sui hurriedly bowed respectfully.
Daoist Duobao?! The Interception Sect's chief inner disciple, the future Tathagata Buddha?!
Xuanwei's heart skipped a beat.
Well then. He had just settled the cafeteria, and the dean of discipline had arrived. It seemed the first hurdle on the road to becoming the Interception Sect's senior brother was right in front of him!
Before you continue