Chen Shuangbai originally planned to refine more pills before going to find Lu Zhiyuan, since having goods in hand would give him the confidence to negotiate with others.
But just a few days later, someone came to the door again.
It was neither the steward of the Expenditure Hall nor Lu Zhiyuan, but Fan Yunsong, who, like Chen Shuangbai, had chosen Fan Yunsong to aid his cultivation.
As the cave abode's restrictions were removed, the main gate opened, Fan Yunsong, with his square face and broad ears, strode in. Upon seeing Chen Shuangbai, a smile immediately appeared on his face, accompanied by a hearty laugh.
"It's been a long time since we last met. Junior Brother Chen's eyes are shining brightly, which shows that his cultivation has made great progress. This is truly something to celebrate!"
Because they were all studying under Yi Chongyue, the five of them interacted frequently and formed a small circle.
Apart from Fan Yunsong and Chen Shuangbai, the other three of these people were named Chen Mei, Cui Yi, and Zou Yikun.
Their backgrounds and origins are all clean.
Chen Mei and Cui Yi entered the Jade Spring Sect talents. Zou Yikun was a bit different. He was originally from a lineage established by a disciple of the Jade Spring Sect outside the sect. However, due to the interruption of the lineage, he was sent to the upper sect and became a disciple of the Jade Spring, which can be considered as returning to his original sect.
Fan Yunsong and Chen Shuangbai were the core of this small circle because they had independently comprehended the Secret Method, " Fair Hands Divide the Stars," and their alchemy talent was stronger than the other three.
Over the course of those two years, the five of them interacted frequently and became friends who could share resources and information.
Just as Chen Shuangbai was about to speak, another person ran up behind her. Upon closer inspection, she saw that the newcomer had her hair tied in two buns, wore a pale yellow fairy dress, and had jade pendants jingling at her waist like a babbling brook. Her round face exuded charm and cuteness.
"Senior Brother Fan, who is this?"
Chen Shuangbai searched for the woman's appearance among the many people he knew, but found that none of the familiar faces in his mind were hers.
Before Fan Yunsong could introduce her, the girl stepped forward, slightly raised her chest, and introduced herself with bright, sparkling eyes.
"Hello, Junior Brother Chen. My name is Fan Cailing, and this is my cousin."
Chen Shuangbai raised an eyebrow slightly and looked at Fan Yunsong beside her. The latter showed a somewhat helpless smile, clearly dissatisfied with his Lineage sister's self-proclaimed courageous act.
However... he did not deny it.
Since the other party addressed her as junior brother, she assumed they were disciples of the same generation as Fan Yunsong, so Chen Shuangbai returned the greeting and addressed her as senior sister.
Chen Shuangbai welcomed the Fan Household siblings inside, intending to fetch some dried fruit and candied fruit to serve them, but as they walked, she couldn't help but tap herself on the head.
"I almost forgot, ever since I started cultivating, I've rarely left the house, so I've never even thought about getting snacks..."
Fortunately, he still had some tea that Fu Qianlan had sent him before. Although it was not high-quality, it was enough to entertain guests.
Chen Shuangbai then took out a tea set, put in a few tea leaves, Law Power to make the cold water boil, and brewed a cup of fragrant tea for each of them.
"Please forgive me, senior brothers and sisters. My household is usually quite quiet, so I have nothing of value to offer you. Please don't take offense."
His words were frank and straightforward, and coupled with his polite manners, neither of them showed any displeasure.
Fan Yunsong said, "Junior Brother's arduous cultivation is the right thing to do."
"If we were still living a life of luxury like those in the mortal world, we probably wouldn't have reached where we are today."
Fan Cailing didn't say anything, but her bright eyes scanned Chen Shuangbai back and forth, as if she were looking at a precious jade.
Chen Shuangbai felt a little uneasy under her gaze, not quite understanding why this Senior Sister Fan had come today.
He turned to Fan Yunsong and asked, "Senior Brother, did Master Yi give you some instructions for coming to see me today?"
Among their five-person alchemy team, Fan Yunsong has the highest cultivation level. He is currently twenty-six years old and at the mid-stage of the Sixth Layer of Qi Refining. The others are at the Late Stage of the Qi Refining Fifth Layer.
Therefore, Yi Chongyue usually relayed any instructions to the other four through him.
Fan Yunsong nodded slightly and said, "Junior Brother, the news about the large batches of Miasma-Cleansing Pill and Spring-Turning Pill you've been refining recently has reached Master Yi's ears. Some unpleasant things were also conveyed along with it, so Master Yi asked me to come and ask you if anything has happened."
His meaning was already quite clear.
If you encounter any problems, feel free to speak up. If it can be resolved, Fan Yunsong and even Yi Chongyue are willing to lend a hand.
This is the Jade Spring Sect.
No wonder they were able to dominate the other four sects, control three states, and become the number one immortal sect in the Jing Kingdom!
With this spirit of mutual support among fellow disciples, it's no wonder they've become number one.
Chen Shuangbai then revealed his plan to accumulate Merit Points before descending the mountain to exchange for cultivation materials. This was not something that could be said in private, so Fan Yunsong simply nodded slightly to indicate that he understood.
Speaking of guarding the town down the mountain, Fan Yunsong gave Chen Shuangbai a few more instructions.
"If Junior Brother Chen is going to go down the mountain to guard the area, would you like to show off your skills?"
Chen Shuangbai keenly sensed something he didn't know, and Orthodox God, asking, "May I ask, Senior Brother, what does 'showing off one's skills' mean?"
Fan Cailing picked up the conversation, saying, "My cousin means that the matter of going down the mountain to guard the area can be a big or small matter."
"If you want a comfortable life and want to spend the next three years in peace, then go to the prosperous places in the heart of the three states. If you want to show your skills and make a name for yourself in the sect, then go to a place with a complex situation, preferably one where you can hone your skills and demonstrate your abilities."
"Ling-mei, how rude!"
Fan Yunsong gave a soft reprimand, then turned to Chen Shuangbai with a hint of apology.
"That's a bit blunt, but that's roughly the idea."
"Junior brother, which one will you choose this time when you go down the mountain?"
Upon hearing this, Chen Shuangbai did not reply immediately.
He picked up his teacup, took a small sip, and the fragrant aroma of tea filled his mouth.
He had been practicing asceticism for a long time, and he never expected the tea to be so sweet.
Descending the mountain to guard the town is a necessary step for outer disciples after five years, but how to choose is, as the Fan Household siblings said, a matter that requires considerable thought.
Not long after.
Chen Shuangbai asked, "Senior Brother Fan, is it up to you to choose the place you're sent down the mountain to guard?"
Fan Yunsong and Fan Cailing both shook their heads slightly.
"The selection of the place to guard after leaving the mountain is quite complicated. Generally, it is decided by drawing lots. However, the sect will also take into account the actual situation of the person who draws the lot and make appropriate adjustments."
"Of course, some people will try to find a slightly more comfortable place for themselves, but if this is discovered, they will likely face severe punishment."
Chen Shuangbai seemed lost in thought, her fingertips gently caressing the warm teacup.
Fan Cailing then added a sentence.
"Furthermore... the guard duties of outer disciples are not under the jurisdiction of the Expenditure Hall."