Azurewood Sect's inner sect stewards were mostly Foundation Establishment cultivators, while only Late Stage Foundation Establishment cultivators could enter the Elder Council and be addressed as elders.
"Don't be nervous. It should be Elder Xu Changjun who has come. Perhaps word leaked of you newly reaching Foundation Establishment, and he came to invite you into the sect?"
Wei Zhong was not nervous, but Ning CanKun's words did surprise him somewhat.
Before he had time to think further, a white-bearded Daoist entered with a whisk in hand.
Ning CanKun immediately rose and saluted him. "Greetings, Elder Xu."
Xu Changjun nodded, glanced at Wei Zhong, and smiled.
"I never expected a fellow cultivator to emerge from one of the markets under Azurewood Sect's jurisdiction. I am Xu Changjun. Greetings, Fellow Daoist."
As he spoke, he gave Wei Zhong a slight bow. Wei Zhong also cupped his hands in return.
"May I ask what business has brought Elder Xu here?"
Xu Changjun smiled.
"I merely heard that Fellow Daoist had established his foundation and came to see for myself. While I was here, I also wished to ask whether Fellow Daoist would be willing to become a Foundation Establishment Guest Elder of Azurewood Sect?"
"Guest Elder?" Wei Zhong was somewhat puzzled and shifted his gaze slightly toward Ning CanKun, only to see him shake his head.
"Brother Chu, just listen to Elder Xu's explanation. My standing is not high enough to reach such sect affairs."
"Hahaha, Little Brother Ning is right."
Hearing Ning CanKun's explanation, the white-bearded Daoist spoke with a measure of warmth.
"Fellow Daoist Chu need not harbor any concerns about becoming a Foundation Establishment Guest Elder. Rogue Cultivators such as yourself will receive invitations from the sect so long as they establish their foundations.
"Some refuse, while others accept. For example, Hu Yang Daoren, renowned among Rogue Cultivators, is one of our sect's famous Foundation Establishment Guest Elders."
Wei Zhong recalled the Foundation Establishment cultivator in a blazing red Daoist robe whom he had seen at Luo Mingyan's Foundation Establishment banquet.
"Then what would I gain, and what would I need to give?"
"By becoming a Guest Elder of our sect, you would naturally find it easier than a Rogue Cultivator to access all kinds of cultivation resources, such as pills and magical artifacts.
"As for obligations, you would need to accept various tasks commissioned by our sect. Of course, the frequency is not high—once every ten years—and the sect will provide reasonable compensation for every task."
Wei Zhong frowned.
"Surely the things Elder Xu mentioned can all be bought with spirit stones?"
Xu Changjun's expression remained unchanged.
"Ordinary resources may perhaps be bought that way, but certain rare resources cannot be measured by mere spirit stones."
Wei Zhong's heart turned cold, and he immediately understood. This was Azurewood Sect's naked monopoly—a monopoly over cultivation knowledge.
Had he not happened to obtain the inheritance of the Spring Autumn Water Refining Art, he might truly have needed to become a Guest Elder in order to obtain a new cultivation technique.
No wonder Mangyuan Prefecture had places like Hanzhu City, cities of Rogue Cultivators.
And all of this had been beyond the reach of Wei Zhong when he had still been a Qi Refining cultivator.
After lowering his head in thought for a moment, Wei Zhong raised it.
"I am truly sorry. My aptitude is shallow, and I am already deeply satisfied merely to have established my foundation. I dare not seek higher realms."
Xu Changjun understood that Wei Zhong was refusing.
"That is truly a pity."
With a regretful sigh, he saluted Wei Zhong and prepared to leave.
"Oh, right. Fellow Daoist Chu, have you seen one of our sect's disciples outside? He wears a Daoist robe of blue and white and is called Liu Di. He is a first-rank alchemist from our sect's Pill Hall."
Wei Zhong looked blank. "Liu Di? I have never heard of him."
"I see. Then I shall not disturb Fellow Daoist further."
Outside the door, an inner sect disciple came forward.
"Elder Xu, that spirit farmer is lying. That day, Senior Brother Liu was clearly following him out of the sect. It must have been..."
Before he could finish, Xu Changjun swept him to the ground with a flick of his whisk.
Elder Xu's imposing voice rang in his ears.
"You disgraceful fool, always doing idiotic things that ruin our sect's reputation.
"Never mind whether there is evidence that Chu Zhong killed our sect's disciple—even if there were, so what?
"Liu Di harmed another first. He was already in the wrong. His body and Dao perished; he brought it upon himself.
"Furthermore, Chu Zhong is a Foundation Establishment cultivator, while you are merely at Qi Refining. Stop calling him a spirit farmer every other word. When you see him in the future, remember to lower your head and address him as Senior."
Listening to Elder Xu's transmitted words, Liu Quan was stunned for a time. He did not even notice when Xu Changjun left. When he finally came back to himself, all he felt was endless humiliation.
Just as he rose from the ground, he saw Chu Zhong walking out of the house. The divine light radiating from his eyes made Liu Quan's heart tremble, and he could not help calling out, "Senior!"
Wei Zhong merely gave an "Mm" and walked past him.
Wei Zhong did not take a tiny Qi Refining cultivator like him to heart. Instead, he recalled what Ning CanKun had said earlier.
"You should not have refused Elder Xu's invitation. In this region, Azurewood Sect is king in the end, and it controls most of the resources. Even if you have no intention of cultivating and plan to build up your Lineage, you should still join."
Shaking his head, Wei Zhong did not agree with Ning CanKun's words.
Of course he did not lack the intention to cultivate; he was merely pretending otherwise. As for building up a Lineage, he had no such plans for the time being.
Wei Zhong possessed a life-exchanging method fueled by wealth that had granted him an almost endless lifespan, along with spirit veins and spirit mines within the grotto-heaven. He had far too many choices.
If he lacked spirit herbs, he could grow them himself. If he lacked magical artifacts or pills, he could refine them himself as well. Even if he had no high-rank inheritance, he still had proficiency. A first-rank inheritance cultivated to profound heights might not fail to turn decay into wonder.
And if worse came to worst, he could leave Azurewood Sect's territory and seek out a city of Rogue Cultivators without monopolized resources.
That would still be better than constantly being dragged down by so-called Guest Elder tasks. Besides, what if Azurewood Sect sent him on some dangerous mission? Would that not be taking Wei Zhong's life?
With that thought, refusing was only natural.
Wei Zhong's foremost priority now was to find a piece of spirit land—a second-rank spirit land, preferably one with a body of water.
Having entered Foundation Establishment, he could begin cultivating the various secret arts within the Spring Autumn Water Refining Art. Since it was called the Water Refining Art, it was naturally related to water.
He went to the market's task posting area and put up a notice to rent spirit land.
Second-rank was preferred. If that proved impossible, first-rank would do as well...
He then returned to the small courtyard in his spirit field, took out Nine Colors, and hung him from a branch. Seeing the damp water stains still on his body, it seemed he had gotten along quite well with Dajin.
With a flap of Nine Colors' wings, wisps of spiritual energy in the air wrapped around his body and blew all his feathers dry.
Wei Zhong said in surprise.
"Oh, another trick. I wonder how many more talents you're hiding, you Motley Parrot. What a pity you're too small to serve as a mount."
After saying this, Wei Zhong grabbed Nine Colors. He tried to break free from Wei Zhong's hand, but once Wei Zhong's spiritual power restrained him, he could not move at all.
"You wouldn't happen to have a way to grow larger too, would you? Hurry, show me."
Wei Zhong shook Nine Colors until he was dizzy, yet still failed to get him to transform. Somewhat disappointed, he set him back on the branch and muttered.
"Looks like I can only try again after he reaches the second rank."
As he turned and walked toward the house, a Foundation Establishment aura suddenly approached from afar.
"I am Hu Yang. I have come especially to congratulate Fellow Daoist on successfully establishing your foundation."
Wei Zhong's eyes flashed. He immediately walked outside and cupped his hands in salute.
"So it is Senior Hu. Please, come in."
Hu Yang had established his foundation many years ago and was already at the Late Stage Foundation Establishment realm, so Wei Zhong's address of "Senior" was entirely appropriate.
After inviting him into the courtyard, Wei Zhong immediately brought out stone stools and a stone table, then set out spirit food and spirit wine.
Hu Yang set down the gift in his hand. "A trifling gift, unworthy of respect."
"Senior is too kind."
The two then drank and spoke freely.
"To be frank, little brother, I came for the Foundation Establishment Pill in Fellow Daoist's possession."
"Oh?"
Wei Zhong's gaze flickered.
"Fellow Daoist's search for someone to refine pills is no longer a secret among us Foundation Establishment cultivators. It has now even spread through Azurewood Sect's Pill Hall.
"After all, producing two pills from a single batch was one success and one inferior pill—a remarkable credential for that alchemist Qi Yun.
"Fellow Daoist used one pill to establish your foundation. You should still have one remaining."
Before you continue