A Small Interlude

Time flowed like water, and in the blink of an eye, eighteen days had passed.

Zhao Huaian stayed in his room, focusing entirely on drawing Water Arrow Talismans.

As the brush tip glided smoothly, faint traces of Spiritual Energy continuously gathered, and soon the complete pattern of the Water Arrow Talisman fully manifested on the paper.

"Water Arrow Talisman (Mastered 1/400)"

Concentrating, he glanced at the Attribute Heavenly Book in his mind.

On the Attribute Heavenly Book, the proficiency of Water Arrow Talisman had already risen to the Mastered level.

"Not bad, efficiency has greatly improved. As long as I draw a Water Arrow Talisman each time, the proficiency increases by one point."

"I wonder what kind of profit boost the Mastered-level Water Arrow Talisman will bring. Let's test it out!"

Zhao Huaian nodded in satisfaction, looking at the Water Arrow Talisman that had advanced to the Mastered level, a sense of eagerness stirring in his heart.

Through these eighteen days of continuously refining Water Arrow Talismans, his failure rate had steadily decreased, and he could now consistently produce twelve Water Arrow Talismans per day.

Now that the Water Arrow Talisman's proficiency had upgraded, he wanted to see how many he could stably produce in a single day.

No time like the present.

Without any hesitation, Zhao Huaian sat cross-legged on the bed, adjusted his state to its peak, and then picked up his brush to begin drawing Water Arrow Talismans.

Time passed slowly.

A full day quickly went by. Under the constant drawing of Water Arrow Talismans, the Spiritual Energy within Zhao Huaian's body was completely Consumed.

"Water Arrow Talisman (Mastered 19/400)"

Zhao Huaian turned his gaze to the Attribute Heavenly Book.

The proficiency of Water Arrow Talisman had now increased by eighteen points, and on the table lay eighteen brand-new Water Arrow Talismans.

These eighteen newly added Water Arrow Talismans shimmered with Flowing Light, their quality clearly far superior to the previous ones.

Such efficiency and quality filled Zhao Huaian with excitement, and even the fatigue on his body seemed to dissipate somewhat.

"Not bad. The Mastered-level Water Arrow Talismans are much better in quality. Maybe I can adjust the price for these higher-quality ones slightly upward—say, five for two Low-grade Spirit Stones..."

"As for the Water Arrow Talismans I drew before, the price remains unchanged, still three for one Low-grade Spirit Stone."

"At this rate of efficiency and quality, plus the Spirit Talismans I've already accumulated, I can go to the Alchemy Hall and pay off the two hundred Low-grade Spirit Stones in at most another twenty-plus days."

Calculating his total assets and his daily work efficiency, Zhao Huaian nodded with great satisfaction.

Just as he was about to rest and meditate, a sudden commotion of noise came from outside the Residential Area.

"Who dares to make such a racket here? Aren't they afraid of angering those cultivators in seclusion?"

Hearing the clamor, Zhao Huaian felt an inexplicable irritation, unable to settle into meditation or peacefully absorb Spiritual Energy.

"Let's go check it out."

With a slight frown of displeasure, Zhao Huaian pushed open the door and stepped outside.

By now, a large crowd had gathered outside the Residential Area, almost entirely composed of Qi Refining early and mid-stage cultivators.

In the center of the crowd, a Qi Refining Layer Three cultivator was weeping bitterly, kneeling and begging for mercy.

"Brother Liu, what's going on here?"

Zhao Huaian stepped forward, looking curiously at Liu Bohu, who had been standing to the side for a while.

Liu Bohu now had the cultivation of Qi Refining Layer Three, his entire demeanor radiant and carefree.

Hearing the voice, Liu Bohu turned around.

Seeing Zhao Huaian, he immediately explained with a chuckle: "Nothing major. That fellow was just blinded by greed. He borrowed spirit stones from Chen Feiyu at the Alchemy Hall despite lacking the ability to repay."

"Now that the deadline's up and he can't pay back, Chen Feiyu has sent people to drag him to the Alchemy Hall for drug testing."

"Chen Feiyu? Alchemy Hall Drug Testing?"

Zhao Huaian's heart suddenly skipped a beat upon hearing this.

"That's right. It's Chen Feiyu's usual tactic. After all, he's no philanthropist. The spirit stones he lends out have to be repaid many times over. If they can't be repaid, he'll squeeze them out from other angles."

"Take this Alchemy Hall Drug Testing, for example."

"The Alchemy Hall often develops new Elixir Pills, but the Medicinal Effect isn't certain. So to ensure safety and potency, they find cultivators to test the drugs."

"Now that this guy can't repay the debt, they're naturally putting him to use—sending him for drug testing, offsetting sixty or seventy Low-grade Spirit Stones of debt each time."

Liu Bohu nodded, a hint of regret in his voice as he thought about the consequences of being taken for drug testing.

Zhao Huaian's expression turned serious as he probed: "And the outcome of this drug testing..."

"Nine deaths, one life. If you survive one round, you won't survive the next. Except for one or two lucky ones, basically no one makes it out alive."

"This..."

Zhao Huaian was momentarily speechless, a chill of fear creeping into his heart.

He too had borrowed spirit stones from Chen Feiyu, but fortunately, he had the Attribute Heavenly Book to rely on.

With the help of the Attribute Heavenly Book, his speed in Drawing Talismans had greatly increased; otherwise, he might have ended up like that person just now.

As for why Chen Feiyu's people were so reckless and disregarded the rules in the Outer Sect, Zhao Huaian naturally wasn't foolish enough to ask.

He understood clearly that before absolute power and authority, all rules were mere decorations.

The only iron law in this world was that the strong reigned supreme, and might made right.

"Brother Zhao, when did you break through to Qi Refining Layer Three?"

Just as Zhao Huaian was lost in thought, Liu Bohu beside him noticed his cultivation level.

Perhaps out of youthful rivalry, Liu Bohu seemed intent on comparing himself to him.

Zhao Huaian naturally knew this and said with a faint smile, "I just bought two bottles of Qi Nurturing Pills a few days ago and broke through last night."

"Haha, Brother Zhao's talent is truly excellent. I broke through half a month ago."

Liu Bohu let out a proud laugh.

Earlier, when his Clan Brother returned from a mission, he had given him two bottles of Qi Boosting Pills.

After secluding himself for over twenty days, he had finally broken through to Qi Refining Layer Three half a month ago, ahead of Zhao Huaian.

What he didn't know, however, was that Zhao Huaian had already broken through to Qi Refining Layer Three over a month ago—this was all just Zhao Huaian's disguise.

Watching Liu Bohu's rather smug expression, Zhao Huaian smiled and gave a thumbs-up in praise. "Truly worthy of Brother Liu. By the time the one-year term ends and we need to go on missions, Brother Liu will probably have reached Qi Refining Layer Four."

"Hey, keep it down, keep it down!"

Liu Bohu waved his hand with a laugh, but his face was full of delight. "With my Clan Brother's support, I should be able to reach Qi Refining Layer Four."

As he spoke, Liu Bohu suddenly thought of something and threw an arm around Zhao Huaian's shoulder. "Brother Zhao's talent isn't bad either. When the time comes, I'll put in a word with my Clan Brother—how about we join his Task Team together?"

"Let me think it over. After all, my cultivation is still weak now, and I might end up holding you back."

Zhao Huaian didn't refuse outright.

He was aware of this so-called Task Team.

Within the sect, many tasks required a team to complete, and the rewards were far higher than solo missions.

But going on missions with strangers posed significant issues of trust and safety.

Thus, under these circumstances, Task Teams naturally formed within the Greenwood Sect, made up of people familiar with one another.

"Mm, no rush. There's still nearly half a year left. Take your time thinking it over, Brother Zhao!"

Liu Bohu didn't press the matter, just let out a light laugh beside him.

The reason he invited Zhao Huaian was simply because he valued his talent.

If Zhao Huaian agreed, it would be fine—though he might be a bit of a burden early on, he would become an asset once he grew.

If Zhao Huaian refused, that was also fine—at least he wouldn't hold them back before he matured, nor would he share in the mission rewards.

"Of course!"

Watching the crowd gradually disperse, Zhao Huaian smiled, waved his hand, pushed open the door, and returned to his room.

If you can't find the book by its title, try searching by the author—maybe it just changed its name!