I'll Support You

Inquiry Peak, main hall.

Li Chunsong, who had been busy all night, flew back and began reporting to the assembled Dao Sect higher-ups.

"The technique Chu Huai Xu is practicing has issues—it's downright sinister!"

"On the surface, it looks like an adaptation based on artifact refining, walking a path of both internal and external cultivation."

"I suspect the person who created this technique was an exceptionally skilled refiner, likely at the pinnacle of the craft—probably an Artifact Refining Grandmaster!"

Listening to his words, the people in the hall furrowed their brows.

Sect Master Xiang Yan spoke up to ask: "So did you look into it? Where did this technique come from?"

Li Chunsong nodded. "I went to the Scripture Pavilion and checked the records."

"Any problems?" Enforcement Elder Lu Pan asked.

"This technique was brought in and catalogued by Junior Uncle a few years ago." Li Chunsong spread his hands.

If Dao Sect disciples obtained techniques or spells while out in the world, they could bring them back to the sect for review and cataloguing.

The sect had its own set of review standards—they would grade the submissions and issue rewards.

Of course, the review could also reject a submission.

But given that Storyteller's special status...

Would the review dare to block something he brought back? Would it even be blocked?

Xiang Yan frowned deeply, puzzled, feeling like his bald head might sprout hair from the strain:

"Junior Uncle specifically brought back a technique for the Aperture Opening Stage?"

Li Chunsong shook his head. "No. I checked—along with it, two spells and a set of high-grade artifact refining methods were also catalogued."

"This 'Sword Refining Art' was just bundled in with the rest."

"So I suspect that during his last wandering journey, Junior Uncle stumbled upon the legacy of some Artifact Refining Grandmaster."

The crowd nodded slightly at this—it made much more sense.

Li Chunsong continued to share his guess: "Of course, it's also possible Junior Uncle killed some Artifact Refining Grandmaster."

At that, everyone found it even more plausible.

But it was all quite coincidental—the technique Junior Uncle had tossed into the sect's archives years ago just happened to be learned by the kid he'd picked up from the mountain.

Xiang Yan pondered for a moment, then spoke: "We should remove this 'Sword Refining Art' from the technique library."

It was too sinister, and also quite impractical, with obvious drawbacks.

It simply didn't match proper Dao Sect disciples.

Hearing this, Li Chunsong suddenly laughed.

"Sixth Junior Brother, why are you laughing?" Xiang Yan asked, puzzled.

"Sect Master, you may not know—I just used my divine sense to check. That kid's awake, and he wrote four characters in his technique comprehension booklet."

Nangong Yue immediately pressed: "What characters?"

Li Chunsong could barely hold back his grin anymore; he laughed out loud: "Peerless Divine Art! Haha, hahaha!"

In an instant, the hall was filled with a cheerful atmosphere. The Dao Sect higher-ups were all caught between laughter and exasperation—except for the Grand Elder.

"Hmph! This young man chosen by Junior Uncle seems to have a rather dark heart." Enforcement Elder Lu Pan let out a cold snort.

"Uh." Li Chunsong immediately stifled his laughter, realizing he'd misspoken.

People like that didn't sit well with Senior Brother!

Grand Elder Lu Pan indeed spoke again: "Since it's a Peerless Divine Art, then let the outer sect stewards push him hard—make sure he practices diligently!"

Medicine Mountain, Bamboo House.

Daylight slowly crept in.

He'd studied the Heart Sword for a long time and come up with nothing.

"Makes sense. The Aperture Opening Stage is really just laying the foundation for future cultivation. Strictly speaking, I'm not even a cultivator yet."

Chu Huai Xu rubbed his stomach, already ravenous.

Cultivators in the Xuanhuang Realm didn't practice complete fasting.

Everyone had to eat, without exception.

Compared to ordinary people, cultivators weren't all that different beyond possessing greater power.

They didn't even live much longer.

In the cultivation world, living to a hundred was considered a blessing, not a curse.

The Medicine Mountain where Chu Huai Xu currently was had a cafeteria—disciples paid monthly fees and could go there to eat.

Of course, if you wanted to buy ingredients and cook at home, that was fine too.

The entire outer sect of the Dao Sect wasn't really like a sect academy—it was more like a small town where low-level cultivators gathered, self-contained and self-sufficient.

There were ordinary canteens and upscale restaurants.

There were tailor shops, elixir stores, and weapon pavilions.

So living here cost money for everything.

Even the Bamboo House where Chu Huai Xu now lived—starting next month, he'd have to pay rent to the sect.

If he had the ability to do business and wanted to open a shop, he'd have to apply to the Dao Sect for a "permit," get a "business license," and then pay taxes.

Of course, he could also work as an apprentice or laborer in someone else's shop, toiling like an ox or horse.

Beyond that, the Dao Sect itself offered some jobs to disciples.

The most typical employment on Medicine Mountain was spiritual herb maintenance.

As for Niu Yuanshan, an Outer Sect Deacon, he was part of the official management—a proper leading cadre with considerable power.

But the Dao Sect's inner sect was a world apart from the outer sect.

That place was more like a true sect.

The disciples' main goal there was cultivation, getting stronger!

For now, Chu Huai Xu wasn't worried about money.

Don't forget, he had a hundred-tael silver note on him.

That money would last him a while.

Holding the outer sect map, Chu Huai Xu headed to the sect-run canteen.

Along the way, industrious people had already set up stalls to earn money.

"Fellow senior and junior brothers, come take a look at my latest Grain Abstinence Pill."

Hungry and famished, Chu Huai Xu was drawn by the voice.

The Xuanhuang Realm had no Grain Abstinence Stage, but it did have Grain Abstinence Pills—eat one and skip meals.

The hawking man kept promoting: "Junior Brother, look at my new White Flour Grain Abstinence Pill—white and soft, risen perfectly, with a fluffy texture."

Chu Huai Xu said flatly, "Senior Brother, the principle of a Grain Abstinence Pill is that one pill keeps you from hunger, not that it fills you up."

This fist-sized thing of yours is just a steamed bun!

"No, no, Junior Brother, this is a White Flour Grain Abstinence Pill. Eat it, and it'll hold you as well as five same-sized white flour buns!"

"And when you eat buns, you need to relieve yourself, right?"

"This White Flour Grain Abstinence Pill doesn't require that."

"Just say whether it's suitable for closed-door cultivation!" the disciple said proudly.

Chu Huai Xu: "..."

Driven by curiosity, he walked and browsed.

When he played "Borrowed Sword," the outer sect of Spring Autumn Mountain was just like this—self-contained and self-sufficient. Chu Huai Xu knew it well; he'd even run a shop there.

But this was his first time at the Dao Sect.

"Spring Autumn Mountain is notorious for having a ton of freaks; it's a bit more chaotic."

"The Dao Sect is much better in that regard."

"But still, the prices are just as bad as Spring Autumn Mountain!" he grumbled inwardly.

An old saying went: cultivation required wealth, methods, companions, and a place.

Cultivation really burned through money.

His hundred taels of silver could let him live comfortably outside for a long time.

But in the Dao Sect's outer sect? Hard to say.

When Chu Huai Xu reached the canteen entrance, he ran into an acquaintance.

Han Shuangjiang, wearing a veil, walked out with a sour expression.

"Everything here is so expensive. Overall, the sect canteen is the cheapest, but you have to pay for a monthly meal plan upfront." She was short on cash.

No help for it—she'd grown up in a brothel and later joined the Joyful Sect.

After the Joyful Sect fell, she'd lived a wandering life.

After meeting that Storyteller, she'd rushed all the way to Wumeng Mountain, spending most of her travel money.

Han Shuangjiang now had only 103 copper coins on her.

With the terrifying prices in the outer sect, a mere 103 coins weren't even enough for her three meals today!

That meant she had to find a job today.

A Registered Disciple's daily life was basically working during the day and cultivating at night.

This kind of hardship was waving at this icy beauty.

At that moment, Han Shuangjiang looked ahead, and her gaze involuntarily landed on Chu Huai Xu.

Morning light spilled across half his body. Amid the bustling crowd, standing on the high steps and looking down, it was hard not to notice him.

No help for it—after all, he was the finest of the finest Cultivation Cauldrons.

But Han Shuangjiang only planned to nod at him as they brushed past each other.

After their brief interactions, she felt this Cultivation Cauldron wasn't particularly easy to talk to.

He'd snapped at her several times already.

Unexpectedly, this man bathed in golden morning light took the initiative to smile and strike up a conversation with her.

"Morning. Have you eaten?" Chu Huai Xu said, his gaze beginning to appraise her.

Just from her preoccupied look a moment ago, he already had his answer in his heart. He felt things were starting to fall into place.

This icy World Protagonist.

—So you're broke after all!

(PS: New book period, requesting monthly votes!)