The Uncle Yange

The next morning, Shi Yue's eyelids twitched, and he opened his eyes, refreshed.

Suddenly, three sonorous bell tolls rang out in the distance.

The clear, melodious chimes echoed throughout the entire Taixu Sect.

Hearing the bells, Shi Yue brightened and hurried out of the courtyard, flying toward the distance on his magical artifact.

At the same time, dozens of figures rushed out of courtyards across Azure Origin Peak. They took to the sky on their artifacts and flew toward the distance. Judging by their direction, they seemed to be heading to the same place as Shi Yue.

After the time it took to brew a cup of tea, Shi Yue had passed more than a dozen peaks of varying heights and a broad lake. A magnificent palace, towering above the sea of clouds, came into view.

It seemed to stand above the clouds, but the palace was actually built atop a lofty mountain. The clouds simply obscured most of the mountain.

The palace stood more than ten zhang tall, built entirely from massive blue stones. Three golden characters—"Dao Discussion Hall"—were carved into the plaque above its entrance.

Shi Yue landed in front of the palace and hurried inside.

One after another, people landed in front of the palace and entered.

The main hall was spacious, covering several mu. Hundreds of green pillows lay on the floor, and more than a hundred Qi Refining Stage cultivators sat cross-legged on them, gazing eagerly at a white-robed man at the front.

The man looked to be around thirty. He had a fair, scholarly face and wore a white robe.

Uncle Yange was responsible for teaching the Qi Refining Stage disciples, sharing cultivation insights and other knowledge about the immortal path. He taught once a month.

Shi Yue found a seat near the front and sat down.

More people entered the hall. Before long, every pillow was occupied, and there was no room left. Those who arrived late simply stood.

Five or six hundred Qi Refining Stage disciples had gathered in the Dao Discussion Hall.

Yange turned his hand over and took out a green round disk engraved with densely packed spiritual patterns.

He tossed the disk into the air. It immediately swelled several times over, growing to the size of a cartwheel. With a flick of his finger, he sent a streak of green light into it.

The spiritual patterns on the disk lit up one after another, and then it began to turn slowly.

"Disciples, quiet down. The lesson is beginning."

Yange's voice was not loud, but with the aid of the Amplifying Disc, everyone heard him clearly.

"You've all been in the sect for some time now, and I know a little of the hardships you've faced. I hope you'll cultivate diligently and never grow lax. Today, I'll teach you about the 'wealth' in the Four Elements of Cultivation. Listen carefully."

At this, no one dared even breathe loudly. They stared intently at Uncle Yange, afraid they might miss a single word.

"As everyone knows, the Four Elements of Cultivation are essential to a cultivator's pursuit of the Dao and the truth. Whether a cultivator can advance along the great Dao depends not only on their aptitude but also on how much wealth they possess. I'm sure you all understand this. There are many ways to earn Spirit Stones, but the four most lucrative professions are Talisman Masters, alchemists, artifact refiners, and Formation Masters. Alchemy and talisman-making are both money pits, while artifact refining and formation work require a certain talent. I don't recommend that you choose any of these four professions for a living. I've seen plenty of people spend their entire fortunes learning talisman-making, alchemy, or artifact refining, only to lose every last copper. If you think you're one of the lucky few, you can give it a try."

"Our sect is renowned throughout Great Tang for its alchemy. Every year, we sell countless pills to the various marketplaces, which requires a great many Spirit Herbs. I recommend that you grow Spirit Herbs. As long as you tend them carefully, you're bound to reap a harvest. To start, you can grow herbs that are in high demand and easy to care for. Once you've gained enough experience, you can try growing Rare Spirit Herbs. The Scripture Repository records the growing conditions and uses of every Spirit Herb, so you can look them up there. In addition..."

The lesson lasted two hours, and everyone listened attentively. Not a single person left during that time.

"All right, that's it for today. You may leave!" Yange made a hand seal, and the green round disk stopped turning and flew into his sleeve, disappearing from sight.

Yange left the Dao Discussion Hall and flew away on his magical artifact.

Seeing this, the others also departed on their artifacts. Shi Yue remained seated, motionless, a thoughtful look on his face.

After hearing Uncle Yange's lesson, Shi Yue felt as if a wide-open door had appeared before him.

The Mysterious Space contained three mu of Spirit Fields, and time passed there ten times faster than in the outside world. It was a waste to use such an incredible advantage only to grow Spirit Rice.

Besides growing Spirit Grain, what else could he do?

A cup of tea passed. Shi Yue's eyes lit up as if he had thought of something. He rose, left the Dao Discussion Hall, and flew toward the Deacon Hall on his artifact.

Before long, Shi Yue arrived at the Deacon Hall.

This time, Shi Yue didn't stop on the first floor. He went straight to the third.

The third-floor hall was bright and spacious. Its ceiling was four or five zhang above the floor, and it could hold hundreds of people without feeling crowded.

Around the hall stood rows of counters made from prized red paulownia. Behind them were tall shelves of the same wood. Some displayed all kinds of magical artifacts, others held rows of delicate porcelain bottles, and still others contained ores or talismans.

There were more than twenty Taixu Sect disciples in the hall. Their cultivation ranged from the Foundation Establishment Realm to the fifth or sixth level of Qi Refining. Most were talking with the Deacon disciples behind the counters, who occasionally took magical artifacts or porcelain bottles from the shelves behind them.

Shi Yue's gaze swept quickly around the hall, then he headed for a counter.

The shelves behind this counter held many porcelain jars of varying sizes, each with a small label attached.

Two Qi Refining Stage disciples were speaking with the Deacon disciple behind the counter. Two porcelain jars sat on the counter.

The two disciples took out their Identity Tokens and swiped them across the Silver Disc in the Deacon disciple's hand. Then they took their jars and left.

"What can I get for you, Junior Brother? Would you like me to make a few recommendations?" The Deacon disciple saw Shi Yue approach and greeted him with a smile.

"I'd like some Spirit Herb seeds. Ideally, they'd have a short growing cycle and fetch a good price when sold." Shi Yue thought it over before answering.

"Hmm, three Spirit Herbs fit your requirements: Blazing Sun Grass, Cold Yin Flower, and Condensing Smoke Grass. Blazing Sun Grass matures in ten years and needs plenty of sunlight. Cold Yin Flower matures in seven years and needs a place rich in spiritual energy. It can't receive even a single ray of sunlight, or it'll wither. Condensing Smoke Grass matures in five years and isn't fussy about its growing conditions. You only need to water it on schedule. Which would you like, Junior Brother?" The Deacon disciple asked with a smile.

Shi Yue pondered for a moment, then asked, "How much do Blazing Sun Grass and Condensing Smoke Grass seeds cost?"

The Mysterious Space had no sunset and plenty of sunlight, making it suitable for growing Blazing Sun Grass and Condensing Smoke Grass.

"Blazing Sun Grass seeds cost ten Contribution Points per jin, and Condensing Smoke Grass seeds cost five Contribution Points per jin. How much would you like?"

"Then I'll take one jin of Blazing Sun Grass seeds and two jin of Condensing Smoke Grass seeds," Shi Yue said after a moment's thought.

The Deacon disciple nodded, turned toward the shelves behind him, and opened two porcelain jars. He scooped some seeds into two leather pouches.

"The red ones are Blazing Sun Grass seeds, and the blue ones are Condensing Smoke Grass seeds. That'll be twenty Contribution Points." The Deacon disciple set the two pouches in front of Shi Yue, made a few gestures over the Silver Disc in his hand, then held it out to him.

Shi Yue took out his Identity Token and placed it on the Silver Disc. It flashed with silver light. He put his token away, took the two pouches, and turned to leave.