Invitation from a Guest Elder, Hu Yang's Visit

Most Azurewood Sect Inner Sect stewards are at the Foundation Establishment stage, and only cultivators in the late Foundation Establishment stage can enter the Elder Council and be called an Elder.

"Don't be nervous, it should be Elder Xu Changjun. Perhaps your newly advanced Foundation Establishment leaked traces, and he's here to invite you to join the sect?"

Wei Zhong wasn't nervous, but he was a little surprised by what Ning CanKun said.

Before he could think too much, a white-bearded Daoren walked in, holding a whisk in his hand.

Ning CanKun immediately got up and saluted, "Greetings, Elder Xu."

Xu Changjun nodded and glanced at Wei Zhong, smiling:

"I didn't expect that a fellow Daoist could emerge from a market under my Azurewood Sect. I am Xu Changjun, greetings, fellow Daoist."

After speaking, he slightly bowed to Wei Zhong, and Wei Zhong also cupped his hands in return.

"I wonder what Elder Xu is here for?"

Xu Changjun smiled:

"I just heard that a fellow Daoist has reached Foundation Establishment and came to see it, and by the way, to ask if the fellow Daoist is willing to come to my Azurewood Sect as a Foundation Establishment guest elder?"

"Guest elder?" Wei Zhong was a little puzzled, and his eyes turned slightly to Ning CanKun, who shook his head:

"Brother Chu, just listen to Elder Xu's introduction, my level is not enough to reach these sect affairs."

"Hahaha, Little Brother Ning is right."

Hearing Ning CanKun's explanation, the white-bearded Daoren also said with some kindness:

"Fellow Daoist Chu doesn't need to worry about the matter of the Foundation Establishment guest elder. Like fellow Daoists who are rogue cultivators, as long as they are Foundation Establishment, the sect will issue invitations.

Some people refuse, and some people agree, for example, the famous Hu Yang Daoren among rogue cultivators is one of our sect's famous Foundation Establishment guest elders."

Wei Zhong recalled the Foundation Establishment cultivator in the fiery red Daoist robe he had seen at Luo Mingyan's Foundation Establishment banquet.

"Then what will I gain, and what will I have to give?"

"Becoming a guest elder of this sect will naturally make it easier to access various cultivation resources than a rogue cultivator, such as pills, Magical Artifacts, and so on.

As for obligations, you will need to accept various tasks entrusted by this sect, of course, the frequency is not high, once every ten years, and this sect will give reasonable rewards for each task."

Wei Zhong frowned:

"The things Elder Xu said, can't they all be bought with Spirit Stones?"

The latter's expression remained unchanged:

"Ordinary resources may be possible, but some rare resources cannot be measured by mere Spirit Stones."

Wei Zhong's heart turned cold, and he immediately understood that this was the Azurewood Sect's blatant monopoly, a monopoly on cultivation knowledge.

If he hadn't occasionally obtained the inheritance of the Spring Autumn Water Refining Art, he might really have to become this guest elder to obtain a cultivation technique to switch to.

No wonder there are rogue cultivator cities like Hanzhu City in Mangyuan Prefecture.

And all of this was something that Wei Zhong, who was previously a Qi Refining cultivator, could not access.

Lowering his head in thought for a moment, Wei Zhong raised his head:

"I'm truly sorry, but my aptitude is shallow. Being able to reach Foundation Establishment is already more than enough for me, and I dare not ask for realms beyond that."

Xu Changjun understood that Wei Zhong was refusing:

"That's a pity."

He sighed regretfully, gave Wei Zhong a salute, and prepared to leave:

"By the way, Brother Chu, have you seen a disciple of my sect dressed in azure and white robes while you were outside? That person is called Liu Di, and he is a first-order Pill Master from the Pill Hall."

Wei Zhong looked blank: "Liu Di? I haven't heard of him."

"I see. Then I won't disturb you any further."

Outside the door, an Inner Sect Disciple came up to him:

"Elder Xu, that Spirit Farmer is lying. Senior Brother Liu clearly followed him out of the sect that day. It must be..."

Before he could finish speaking, Xu Changjun knocked him to the ground with a flick of his sleeve.

Elder Xu's stern voice reached his ears:

"You embarrassing thing, all you do is stupid things that ruin the reputation of our sect.

Regardless of whether there is evidence that Chu Zhong killed my sect's disciple, so what if there is?

Liu Di was in the wrong to begin with, so his death was his own fault.

Moreover, Chu Zhong is a Foundation Establishment cultivator, and you are only at Qi Refining. Don't call him a Spirit Farmer all the time. Remember to bow your head and call him 'Senior' when you see him in the future."

Hearing Elder Xu's words transmitted to him, Liu Quan was stunned for a moment. He didn't even notice when he left, and when he came back to his senses, he only felt endless humiliation.

Just as he stood up from the ground, he saw Chu Zhong walking out of the house. The divine light emanating from his eyes made his heart tremble, and he couldn't help but say, "Senior!"

Wei Zhong simply grunted in response and walked past him.

Wei Zhong didn't pay attention to this small Qi Refining cultivator. Instead, he recalled what Ning CanKun had said earlier.

"You shouldn't have rejected Elder Xu's invitation. In this territory, the Azurewood Sect is king, and most of the resources are controlled by them. Even if you don't intend to cultivate and plan to run a family, you should join."

Shaking his head, Wei Zhong didn't agree with what Ning CanKun said.

Of course, he wasn't uninterested in cultivation; he was just pretending to be. As for running a family, he didn't have that plan for the time being.

Wei Zhong had obtained nearly endless lifespan through the means of 'recharging to change fate', and he also had Spirit Veins and Spirit Mines in his Grotto-heaven. He had too many choices.

If he lacked spirit herbs, he could grow them himself. If he lacked Magical Artifacts and pills, he could refine them himself. Even if he didn't have high-level inheritances, he still had proficiency. Practicing a first-order inheritance to a profound level might have the effect of turning something rotten into something magical.

Moreover, he could just leave the Azurewood Sect's territory and find a city of rogue cultivators without resource monopolies.

It was better than being burdened by so-called guest elder tasks. Besides, what if the Azurewood Sect asked him to carry out a dangerous mission? Wouldn't that be endangering Wei Zhong's life?

With that thought, of course he would refuse.

Wei Zhong's priority now was to find a Spirit Land, a second-order Spirit Land, preferably one with a body of water.

Upon entering Foundation Establishment, he could begin to cultivate the various secret techniques in the Spring Autumn Water Refining Art. Its name was 'Water Refining Art', so it was naturally related to water.

Arrived at the task posting area of the market and posted a notice for renting Spirit Fields.

Second-tier is preferred, but first-tier will do if there's no other option...

Afterward, he returned to the small courtyard in his Spirit Field, took out Nine Colors, and hung it on a branch. Looking at the water stains on its body that hadn't dried yet, it seemed to be getting along well with Da Jin.

Nine Colors flapped its wings, and wisps of Spiritual Qi in the air wrapped around its body, drying all its feathers.

Wei Zhong said with some surprise:

"Oh, another trick. I wonder how many unique skills you Motley Parrot are hiding. It's a pity it's too small to be a mount."

After saying this, Wei Zhong grabbed Nine Colors. It wanted to break free from Wei Zhong's hand, but it couldn't move after being restricted by Wei Zhong's Spiritual Power.

"You wouldn't happen to have a trick to become bigger, would you? Quick, show me."

Wei Zhong shook Nine Colors, but he couldn't get it to work even after shaking it dizzy. He disappointedly put it back on the branch and muttered:

"It seems I'll have to wait until it reaches the second tier before trying again."

Turning back towards the house, suddenly a Foundation Establishment aura approached Wei Zhong from a distance.

"This humble Daoist Hu Yang has come to congratulate Fellow Daoist on successfully establishing your foundation."

Wei Zhong's eyes flashed, and he immediately walked outside, cupping his hands in a salute:

"So it's Senior Hu, please come in."

Hu Yang Daoren had established his foundation for many years and was already at the late stage of Foundation Establishment realm, so Wei Zhong's address of 'Senior' was reasonable.

After inviting him into the courtyard, Wei Zhong immediately took out stone benches and a stone table, and set out spiritual food and spiritual wine.

Hu Yang Daoren put down the gift in his hand: "A mere trifle, not worthy of respect."

"Senior is too kind."

Then the two drank and chatted:

"To be honest, I'm here for the Foundation Establishment Pill in Fellow Daoist's possession."

"Oh?"

Wei Zhong's eyes flickered slightly.

"The matter of Fellow Daoist finding someone to refine pills is no secret among us Foundation Establishment cultivators. Now it has even spread in the Azurewood Sect's Pill Hall.

After all, being able to produce two pills, one high-grade and one low-grade, is an extraordinary qualification for that Pill Master Qi Yun.

Fellow Daoist used one for your Foundation Establishment, so there should be one left."