An adult Crimson Star Snake was roughly as strong as a cultivator from the Second Layer of Qi Refining to the Qi Refinement Fourth Layer.
Though this Demon Beast favored cold, shady places, its gallbladder was fire-aligned. Anyone tainted by its venom would suffer fire poisoning, and the pain was something else.
But after dealing with such things long enough, most cultivators had a few secret tricks up their sleeves, even if they were not physicians.
The Crimson Star Snake's fire poison had long since ceased to be a major problem.
But the problem was...
He Qi pulled back his sleeve, revealing two faint scars. As though recalling something, he could not help baring his teeth as he said, "Son of a bitch, getting bitten really hurt."
Fu Qianlan and Chen Shuangbai burst out laughing.
When old friends gathered, there was always laughter and cheer.
The three of them came from the same place. In the Jing Kingdom's imperial court, they would have been considered fellow provincials and natural allies.
Now, their cultivation levels differed. All three were at the Third Layer of Qi Refinement, but Fu Qianlan was at the late stage, while Chen Shuangbai was at the middle stage and only a little short of breaking through to the late stage. He Qi had still been at the early stage not long ago, though perhaps his assignment guarding the cold pool had tempered him.
The brat was now at the middle stage too.
After He Qi finished, it was Fu Qianlan's turn.
She said that, through an introduction from the senior sister at the Expenditure Hall, she had joined a cultivator society called the Dragon Stream Pavilion. By exchanging resources with its members, she no longer had to worry much about Merit Points.
"If either of you ever urgently needs Merit Points, come find me," the girl with the high ponytail said.
He Qi nodded firmly.
If he needed them, he would not hesitate.
Chen Shuangbai, meanwhile, was more curious about the Dragon Stream Pavilion and cultivator societies.
Fu Qianlan explained, "In the mortal world's imperial court, don't those scholars and merchants form poetry societies and trade guilds to huddle together for warmth? Our Dragon Stream Pavilion cultivator society is much the same, just with a different name."
"I see."
Understanding dawned on Chen Shuangbai.
Although strength reigned supreme in the cultivation world, a single tree could not prop up a great structure. Cultivators also needed to communicate and help one another.
Outer sect disciples in particular needed to huddle together for warmth and exchange what they had for what they lacked. Only then could they obtain resources and information more easily in their early days, and even receive a measure of protection.
"Since you hold the Dragon Stream Pavilion in such high regard, Qianlan, I imagine there must be something special about it?"
Chen Shuangbai continued to ask.
Fu Qianlan nodded, her eyes brightening slightly.
"Senior Sister Lin leads the pavilion. She's at the Eighth Layer of Qi Refining, and she's fair in both character and conduct, so everyone treats her with great respect."
"There are quite a few senior brothers and sisters in the pavilion, each with different skills. They're all hardworking and like-minded. We usually exchange insights on cultivation and trade the resources each of us specializes in..."
From Fu Qianlan's description, Chen Shuangbai gained a basic understanding of the Dragon Stream Pavilion cultivator society.
He also learned that the sect's higher-ups were supportive of cultivator societies among outer sect disciples.
Of course.
The status of such groups formed by disciples could never replace that of the three halls and nine divisions.
Moreover, all such societies had to be registered with the Registration Hall of the sect's Myriad Phenomena Hall and had to obey the sect rules completely. Otherwise, they would face a direct crackdown from the sect.
Seeing Chen Shuangbai nod repeatedly, Fu Qianlan looked at him and said seriously:
"A-Bai, you're levelheaded and have a solid foundation. If you joined, it would be a fine thing for both you and the pavilion."
"The pavilion doesn't ask much of its members, and they're mostly like-minded people. They could certainly be a great help to you."
Chen Shuangbai was not surprised.
After Fu Qianlan had given him such a detailed introduction to the Dragon Stream Pavilion, he had more or less expected this conversation.
Chen Shuangbai pondered for a moment and did not rush to answer.
It was not that he was unmoved.
If things were truly as Fu Qianlan said, then the Dragon Stream Pavilion was indeed a good choice.
But he had reservations too.
Joining an organization rashly would inevitably mean taking on corresponding obligations, spending time on group activities, and perhaps even getting caught up in pointless disputes.
He had a few too many secrets.
Until he had enough strength to protect himself, Chen Shuangbai always remained wary of outsiders.
After thinking it over carefully, Chen Shuangbai said, "Thank you, Qianlan, but you know I've always liked peace and quiet and am used to cultivating behind closed doors... Let me think it over some more."
Fu Qianlan was not at all surprised by his answer, which was neither an outright refusal nor a firm acceptance.
It was just the sort of caution one would expect from Chen Shuangbai.
He Qi pursed his lips and muttered with some displeasure, "Qianlan, why didn't you ask me to join too?"
Fu Qianlan could not help giving him a slight roll of her eyes. She said bluntly, "I would have liked to ask you, but Young Master He is so busy, he's nowhere to be seen all day."
"How could I bring you in when I couldn't even find you?"
He Qi chuckled.
He had been quite comfortable during his time at the Jade Guarding Hall. He had also met quite a few dependable senior brothers and had come to enjoy a life of fighting and killing.
Even if Fu Qianlan had asked him, he would not have agreed.
He had only asked because he could not keep his mouth shut.
"A-Bai, whenever you've made up your mind, you can come find me."
After saying that, Fu Qianlan thought for a moment and added another sentence.
"Even if you don't join the pavilion, given our friendship, we should help each other anyway."
"Of course."
Chen Shuangbai raised a finger. Spirit Power surged, pouring each of them another cup of spirit wine.
"Of course!"
He Qi said too.
The three raised their cups and clinked them together, then exchanged smiles and drank.
When they were about seventy or eighty percent full, Chen Shuangbai considered his words and told the other two of his plan to earn Merit Points.
He Qi immediately patted his chest and said, "That's easy. Come over to my Jade Guarding Hall. There are plenty of Demon Beasts for you to kill."
Fu Qianlan shot him a sidelong glance, then looked at Chen Shuangbai and asked, "A-Bai, do you already have an idea in mind?"
Chen Shuangbai put down his cup and nodded slightly.
"I've now reached the middle stage of the Third Layer of Qi Refinement, learned several common spells, and acquired a Law Artifact, but I've been spending Merit Points rather quickly."
"Earning Merit Points through Expenditure Hall assignments is steady, but it can hardly be called a comfortable surplus."
Chen Shuangbai paused, then continued.
"Besides Cultivation Methods, the sect offers disciples many of the hundred cultivation arts to study, such as pill refining, artifact refining, talisman making, formations, beast taming, Spirit Plant cultivation, and so on."
"I'm thinking of choosing one skill to study in depth, so I can find a trade to make a living and establish myself."
He Qi's eyes lit up at once. "Then why don't you learn artifact refining, Old Bai?"
"I've met a few senior brothers from the Hundred Crafts Hall at the Jade Guarding Hall. They're quite skilled at forging low-grade Law Artifacts. If you want to get started, I can introduce you!"
"No, thank you, but I must decline."
Fu Qianlan immediately understood that Chen Shuangbai already had an answer in mind.
"Do you want me to take care of something for you?"
Chen Shuangbai smiled faintly.
"You know me well, Qianlan."