Rules Are Shackles for the Weak

"Outsiders looking at our Ge family in Jade Dragon County see us as an established Spirit Plant Family, with endless glory, protected by Immortal Mountain Sects, and a top-tier power in the mortal world."

"But in the Cultivation World, we are merely the lowest tier of immortal clans."

"Among the Hundred Cultivation Arts, Spirit Plants are but a minor path. For our Ge family to advance further, we must become a Spirit Cuisine Family."

"Spirit Cuisine!?"

Upon hearing the Patriarch mention these two words, the other family members were all astonished. Their Ge family had been a Spirit Plant Family for centuries, and while they had some foundation, they were still a considerable distance from becoming a Spirit Cuisine Family.

A white-bearded elder asked, "The most crucial element of the Spirit Cuisine path is the Specialty Spirit Recipe. These are considered family secrets by the major Spirit Cuisine Families. Our Ge family has researched for many years, but the food we cook is merely ordinary Spirit Food. When will we ever have a Specialty Spirit Recipe?"

Patriarch Ge Xiangying smiled slightly, gesturing for everyone to look at the Grain-abstinence Biscuit in his hand.

"This, is our Ge family's fortune."

The crowd looked at each other, utterly bewildered.

"This looks like nothing more than a Mortal Pastry. Although it smells sweet, it's hardly a Spirit Recipe, is it? How can it be considered fortune?"

"I could easily catch a couple of Spirit Beasts and roast them over a fire, and that would be better than this."

"Could it be that eating this has some special effect?"

Hearing someone in the clan speak of the key point, Ge Xiangying no longer held back.

"That's right. This pastry appears ordinary on the outside, but it holds a hidden secret within. Do all of you know of the Grain-abstinence Pill?"

Everyone present was a cultivator who had entered the Cultivation World, so they were naturally all aware of the famous Grain-abstinence Pill.

"A Grain-abstinence Pill, no bigger than a peanut, can replace a full meal and keep one from feeling hungry for 3 days."

"The Grain-abstinence Pill is the lowest grade of pill. Achieving success in refining it makes one a Grade 1 Alchemist. Only Foundation Establishment mighty figures have the capability to refine it."

"The price of Grain-abstinence Pills is very stable. One Grain-abstinence Pill can be exchanged for 2 Low-grade Spirit Stones. As long as they are produced, they will be acquired by major Immortal Mountain Sects or Rogue Cultivator Markets."

After hearing the answers from his clan members, Ge Xiangying nodded, then shook his head.

"You are all correct, but... you only know half the story. Not all Grain-abstinence Pills are the lowest grade, Grade 1 pills. There are also Grade 2, Grade 3, and even Grade 9 Grain-abstinence Pills. Legend has it that eating a high-grade Grain-abstinence Pill can allow one to go a year without needing to eat."

"And besides satisfying hunger, Grain-abstinence Pills have no other effects. Why are their prices so high? And why is there never a shortage of buyers? Can't cultivators just eat the Spirit Rice and Spirit Fruits we grow? They are cheap, delicious, and satisfying."

Seeing the confused expressions on his clansmen's faces, Ge Xiangying provided the answer.

"Because... Grain-abstinence Pills are essential for Secluded Cultivators! When high-level cultivators enter seclusion, they cannot be disturbed by external matters. If they had to eat three meals a day, how could they focus on comprehending the heavens and earth? Therefore, to avoid interrupting their comprehension, cultivators use Grain-abstinence Pills to aid their seclusion."

"It can be said that as long as cultivators still need to enter seclusion, Grain-abstinence Pills will never go out of style in the Cultivation World."

"However, Grain-abstinence Pills are prohibitively expensive. Low-level cultivators simply cannot afford them. So, what then?"

"This item!"

He once again raised the compressed biscuit in his hand.

"As long as the recipe is slightly modified, it can become a specialty spirit cuisine, or it can be called a low-grade grain-abstinence pill!"

The crowd immediately erupted in discussion.

"Such a common pastry can be so miraculous?"

"But this small biscuit has no spiritual energy, how can it be called spirit cuisine?"

Hearing the doubts of his clansmen, Ge Xiangying showed the confident smile of a patriarch: "I tasted a few pieces, and I could taste a rich wheat aroma from them. There must be wheat flour in the ingredients."

"If we replace their wheat flour with our spirit wheat flour..."

The crowd: "Oh~~~"

"This matter is a major plan for our clan. We need to find the power that makes this item as soon as possible, and buy their recipe and craftsmanship with money."

"I'll do it!"

"I'll go there myself,"

"Uncle, I am willing to go!"

Seeing his family's younger generation eagerly signing up, Ge Xiangying felt deeply gratified. His Ge family had prospered for a hundred years, relying on this cohesive family spirit. His clansmen were united as one, working together with all their might.

"You are all cultivators, it is not suitable to move around too much among mortals. It will attract the attention of the Imperial Court. If you act against mortals and are seen, it will ruin the reputation of our Ge family, damage the foundation of the family, and this matter is unknown how long it will take. Don't neglect your spirit fields."

"I have a half-step innate retainer named Zhao Kuangfeng. He created the Gale Blade Technique himself and has made a great name for himself in the jianghu. Once his ultimate skill, Great Eight-Level Gale, is unleashed, even Innate Grandmasters will be wary of him. Sending him is sufficient."

Everyone agreed.

The retainer Zhao Kuangfeng came to the council hall and agreed after hearing the instructions from the main family.

"This grain-abstinence biscuit was bought by me at the Pinnacle Pavilion in Jade Dragon County. Go there, and they will naturally tell you who sold it."

Zhao Kuangfeng frowned: "I have been in the jianghu for many years and often buy supplies at the Pinnacle Pavilion. Their rule is 'Pinnacle items do not ask for origin, payment is made promptly.' I'm afraid..."

Ge Xiangying sneered dismissively.

"Heh heh~ Rules are for the weak. If my Ge family wants it, how would that Pinnacle Pavilion dare to refuse?"

Zhao Kuangfeng asked again: "What if this power is unwilling to sell the recipe?"

"Then use your methods to make them spit it out. Don't worry about anything, our Ge family will back you up."

"Yes, I'm going now."

"Ah~~"

Yang Genshuo stretched, time flowing rapidly in the game. Apart from managing the board game teahouse and manor, the Yang family hadn't made any other moves.

It was almost time for the annual ancestral worship.

Yang Genshuo pondered for an hour but couldn't think of any good Supplies he currently had that could help Yang Shi.

After all, all the money he had was spent, so he couldn't pour Supplies into Yang Shi.

"How about giving him a few books to read?"

He had quite a few books he'd bought on a whim stored in his bookshelf, most of which he hadn't read.

A man who could comprehend Whip Technique from "Login Bonus 100 Draws" might actually be able to learn something from books.

As he was picking out books, a prompt appeared in the game.

[Your descendant Yang Shi is requesting your instruction, do you wish to respond?]

"What is it?"

"Old Ancestor, I have already procured the five types of Tonics you requested, and the Small Gold Bars have also been smelted into shape as you required. Do you need Yang Shi to prepare any other Offerings?"

"No need."

"Uh..."

Yang Shi hesitated, seeming a bit embarrassed to ask.

"If you have something to say, just say it."

The Incense Value was ticking away!

If he delayed any longer, it would decrease by another 1.

"Old Ancestor, our Yang's Board Game Tea House has been overcrowded lately. One set of Sanguosha Standard Edition Cards is completely insufficient. The cards I've imitated myself are ugly and lack that transparent film, making them easily damaged. Could Old Ancestor bestow some Cards upon Yang Shi this year?"

Huh?

This was the first time Yang Shi had asked him for something. Previously, he had just accepted whatever was given without daring to say another word.

"I really didn't expect this."

"Coincidentally, I still have many sets of Sanguosha cards from different versions left, all Sealed Editions. I can give them to him."

Yang Genshuo replied with one word: "Good!"

This way, the issue of Rewards was also settled.

Soon it was time for the Ancestral Worship Ceremony. As Yang Shi knelt and kowtowed, the offerings on the altar table disappeared with the smoke.

[Your descendant Yang Shi has successfully completed this year's Ancestral Worship Ceremony]

[Incense Value +10]

[You have received offerings from Yang Family descendants: 10 Jing Xin Ning Shen Pills, 10 Shu Gan Ming Mu Pills, 10 Jian Ti Pi Wei Pills, 10 Run Fei Xing Qi Pills, 10 Gu Jing Hui Yuan Pills, 10 Gold Bracelets (50g each), 2 jin of Spirit Rice.]

[Do you wish to bestow a Reward upon Yang Family descendants?]

"Give, give, give! I'll give you all these games. Make my board game shop bigger and stronger in the Cultivation World!"

Ten boxes of Sanguosha, one box of Werewolf, and a book he personally selected, "Thirty-Six Stratagems."

After bestowing the items, Yang Shi turned his attention to his own gains this time.

The five types of tonics corresponded to strengthening the body's five internal organs, greatly benefiting the body. The gold bracelets were crafted from a total of one jin of gold bars, making them easier for him to sell.

"If I sell a few more gold shops, I should be able to liquidate most of it. The money should be enough to pay off my loans."

"But I can't do this kind of thing often. If the Relevant Department notices, I'll be charged with the Crime of Unexplained Wealth."

He only planned to do this once.

Finally, his gaze fell upon the 2 jin of unprocessed Spirit Rice, his eyes filled with excitement.

This was a spiritual item for cultivators!

Yang Genshuo had planned to produce this item from the beginning and show it to the Daoist.

'Daoist' was the nickname of Yang Genshuo's University Dormmate. He was a top student who continued his studies after graduation and was now a Postdoctoral Researcher at Shimen Agricultural University, specializing in Seed Science.