Superior-Grade Magical Artifact

"This Dao Robe is a mid-grade robe, woven from Heavenly Silkworm silk. It also bears talismans inscribed by disciples of our sect who are skilled in artifact refinement. Once you put it on, you can travel through the mountains without being bothered by insects or suffering their attacks. It can ward off all kinds of poison and miasma, and it's even impervious to blades and spears..."

The gray-robed Daoist was thorough. He picked up a Dao Robe and began explaining it.

Many of the disciples listened with shining eyes.

This was good stuff!

The disciples who entered the Menial Hall were all below the third level of the Qi Refining Realm or had mid-grade spiritual roots.

Among Rogue Cultivators in the cultivation world, people of their caliber were no more than ants.

You had to know that a mid-stage Qi Refining Realm Rogue Cultivator wasn't even qualified to own a mid-grade defensive magical artifact!

This Dao Robe alone showed just how deep the Divine Firmament Dao Sect's pockets were.

At first, Li Yunjing and the others had been a little resentful about becoming lowly menial disciples.

Now, all that resentment had vanished.

With treatment like this, what more could they ask for?

The few who had entered as Rogue Cultivators were practically shouting "What a bargain!" in their hearts.

You had to know that a mid-grade defensive magical artifact was worth 20 to 30 Low-grade Spirit Stones!

Even if they scraped by for two or three years, those Rogue Cultivators wouldn't save up that many Spirit Stones.

"These five talismans correspond to the Five Elements of Heaven and Earth. The sect has given them to you for self-defense!"

Seeing their reactions, the gray-robed Daoist smiled and continued his introduction.

"These five talismans are all mid-grade, first-tier talismans. Even a mid-stage Qi Refining Realm cultivator would die if caught by one without time to dodge!"

"Of course, cultivators aren't sitting ducks. They have all kinds of means at their disposal. If you activate a talisman and fail to hit your opponent, it won't do you any good!"

After explaining the Dao Robe and talismans, the gray-robed Daoist took out a sword.

With a "shing," he drew it from its sheath. Brilliant light flashed at once, like a dragon's roar and a crane's cry, while inch after inch of gleaming light shimmered along its blade.

"This is the Cold Star Sword, forged by the sect's Artifact Refining Hall. Though it isn't a supreme-grade flying sword, it can slice through iron like mud. It also contains the energy of the stars, allowing it to slay vengeful spirits and evil ghosts and drive back demons."

The gray-robed Daoist paused, then added, "This is a rare superior-grade magical artifact. Treasure it!"

A superior-grade magical artifact!!!

Li Yunjing and the others were thoroughly excited. They couldn't help whispering among themselves.

Could people like them, menial disciples, really own something like this?

Even the cheapest superior-grade magical artifact cost at least 100 Low-grade Spirit Stones!

The sect had given each of them wealth worth more than 300 Spirit Stones!

This was a windfall from the heavens!

Now, no one begrudged their status as menial disciples anymore.

Rogue Cultivators without a special skill or talent for fighting could spend their whole lives without saving up this many Spirit Stones!

The Divine Firmament Dao Sect was far too generous!

"Understand this! This superior-grade magical artifact is the only one you'll be able to obtain while you're a menial disciple! If you don't strive to improve, you'll never get another artifact of this grade!"

Understanding what the newcomers were thinking, the gray-robed Daoist spoke loudly.

"Yes, Senior Brother! We understand!"

Li Yunjing and the others were startled, then quickly calmed down.

"Also, these jade booklets record the sect's rules and basic cultivation methods."

"They also contain information about other sects, demonic beasts, and the world, along with basic knowledge of astronomy and geography."

"Many of you don't have proper cultivation methods. Although the techniques recorded here are our sect's basic methods, they're orthodox Daoist foundations. You can cultivate all the way to Foundation Establishment with them without any problem. Your main task now is to study and practice diligently."

After introducing everything in the box, the gray-robed Daoist handed the items out one by one.

Once everyone had received their new-disciple benefits, the gray-robed Daoist said, "You have only three days of free time. During those three days, memorize the contents of the booklets and make sure to cultivate. In three days, the Miscellaneous Affairs Hall will assign you to different places to carry out the sect's various tasks."

The Divine Firmament Dao Sect was a great immortal sect, with naturally many rules. Though these people had joined the sect, they hadn't come to enjoy themselves. They would have to pay a heavy price in labor.

The Cold Star Sword was so powerful because it was meant to protect them. The sect feared they might perish while carrying out their tasks.

Treasures worth 300 Spirit Stones weren't handed out for nothing. They were expected to work and earn back many times their value.

"Yes!"

Li Yunjing and the others grew solemn, realizing that their days of labor weren't far off.

Li Yunjing didn't talk with the others. He put away each item, then followed the gray-robed Daoist's directions and found his room in the back courtyard of the Menial Hall.

"What a spacious place."

When Li Yunjing reached his quarters, he circulated his magical power. The token in his hand lit up, and the temporary residence assigned to him opened.

He saw his own courtyard, hundreds of square meters across, with pavilions and towers built among its buildings.

The air in the courtyard shimmered with dense spiritual energy. It was truly an immortal paradise.

Back in his previous life, this would have been a top-tier villa!

And now, it was only temporary housing for a menial disciple.

The disciples in the Menial Hall sure had it good!

What Li Yunjing didn't know was that these rooms were actually used by Outer Disciples.

The Menial Hall was an important branch of the sect, and its public image mattered. Naturally, its rear courtyard couldn't be left in a state of disrepair.

Li Yunjing and the others only had the right to stay there for three days. After that, they'd no longer enjoy such good treatment.

"The spiritual energy here is so dense. No wonder that senior brother told the newcomers to treasure these three days and cultivate well. Later, we probably won't be assigned anywhere with such concentrated spiritual energy!"

After closing the courtyard gate, Li Yunjing changed into the Dao Robe. Daoist energy instantly filled his whole body, and a fresh fragrance wafted from the garment.

Though this robe was only a mid-grade magical artifact, it was a thousand times better than the servant's clothes he'd worn in the Yu Family.

Then Li Yunjing refined all five talismans with his blood, and immediately felt a connection to them in his mind.

"Good stuff. These talismans could save my life!"

Then Li Yunjing sat cross-legged on the bed in his room.

These three days were precious; this wasn't the time to refine talismans. Li Yunjing quickly tucked them close to his body, then opened the jade booklets.

One of them had "Divine Firmament Dao" written on it.

As soon as he opened it, a blue-robed Daoist appeared on the jade booklet, flickering and darting about as he demonstrated the cultivation method, move by move.

At the same time, a faint voice came from the booklet, explaining the mysteries of the technique, how to exert force, and how to breathe.

"Impressive! Truly impressive!"

Li Yunjing exclaimed in admiration. He hadn't expected even a basic cultivation method to have such a miraculous way of imparting its teachings. No wonder this was a great immortal sect!