--Lu Songting's words were most likely not a question about my rapid cultivation using the Water Moon Jade Crystal, suggesting exceptional talent! He was either subtly probing why I needed so many Water Moon Jade Crystal!
After thinking it over, Chen Shuangbai said this.
"To be honest, Uncle-Master, I originally possessed a dual Spirit Root water and wood, with water as my primary element and wood as my secondary element. I also had some experience in cultivation. Previously, I relied on the Spiritual Qi in the mountains, which was filled with the sect's grand formation, and the Spirit Stone I had to cultivate, but I always felt that something was missing."
"Uncle-Master should understand that we outer disciples all cultivate the ' Jade Spring Qi Ingestion Method,' which is uniformly passed down within the sect. After we develop Qi Sensation and enter the Middle Qi Refining Stage, we switch to other methods based on our Spirit Root aptitude."
"As for me, your junior disciple, I don't need to switch to other cultivation methods, because the ' Jade Spring Qi Ingestion Method ' contains a method for cultivating by gathering spiritual energy and materials. Therefore, this Water Moon Jade Crystal is the most suitable. In addition, Senior Brother Lu must have told you that I will soon be going down the mountain to guard the area, and I also want to exchange for more to get through the next three years."
Lu Songting believed this explanation.
When Lu Zhiyuan came to him for help, he sent someone to investigate Chen Shuangbai's background.
He has a clean background and his cultivation talent is average, but he also has a talent for alchemy. He is the kind of seedling who is confident that he can make it to the Foundation Establishment.
That makes sense.
Lu Songting then asked some questions about Chen Shuangbai's use of the Water Moon Jade Crystal, to which Chen Shuangbai answered fluently before finally speaking.
" The Water Moon Jade Crystal and other cultivation materials must first be supplied to the inner sect, and then to the many outstanding talents of our outer sect. Therefore, the quota is somewhat tight. Nephew, you must understand this."
"Clear."
Chen Shuangbai nodded, readily agreeing with the suggestion.
Lu Songting continued, "This year, the outer sect still has a certain amount of Water Moon Jade Crystal available. If you, my nephew, wish to exchange for them... it's not impossible."
Chen Shuangbai has not yet answered.
He's waiting.
Since things have come to this point, Lu Songting must already have some thoughts on the matter.
In other words, they have ulterior motives towards Chen Shuangbai.
A moment later, the jade-robed steward of the Expenditure Hall said this.
"Just as my junior nephew said, special spiritual materials like Water Moon Jade Crystal are in short supply, and many people are eyeing them."
"Even if my junior disciple wants to apply for more exchanges, it requires discussion and agreement; it's not something I can easily decide on my own."
In this way, it was already anticipated that Chen Shuangbai would arrive.
Among the disciples of the Jade Spring Sect, many possess water-elemental Spirit Root, making the allocation of such spiritual talents extremely competitive.
If Chen Shuangbai wants to get Lu Songting's share of what he can control, he will most likely have to offer some benefits.
Admittedly, he is not currently capable of offering something that would entice a senior disciple in the Late Qi Refining Stage who has been working in the outer sect for many years.
Just because we can't give it to you now doesn't mean we won't be able to in the future, right?
"Uncle-Master, you are wise. I am well aware of the sect's rules and your difficulties."
"But if I can receive the guidance of my master uncle and obtain enough Water Moon Jade Crystal to support my three-year guarding period, helping me to cultivate and solidify my foundation, I will never forget the kindness of my master uncle in helping me today if I achieve some success in cultivation or Dao of Alchemy the future."
Chen Shuangbai knew that Lu Songting's willingness to meet with him today meant he wanted to get to know him better and see if there was any investment potential.
Although Chen Shuangbai has been cultivating within the sect for the past few years and rarely goes out, he is not blind and helpless in the face of complete darkness.
On the contrary, the monthly lectures and alchemy classes at Chuanjin Gold Transmission Hall, as well as the conversations among his fellow disciples, gave him a clear understanding of the situation in the outer sect.
Lu Zhiyuan was quite well-known in the outer sect. Through Fu Qianlan's connection with the Dragon Stream Pavilion, Chen Shuangbai quickly found Lu Songting, who served as a clan uncle in the Expenditure Hall.
Later, they learned that this Uncle Lu had exhausted his potential and his cultivation could no longer improve.
Over the years, I have maintained good relations with many outer disciples and made numerous investments, which led to this conversation.
It must be said that Chen Shuangbai's "sensible" approach saved Lu Songting a lot of trouble.
As Chen Shuangbai said, regarding Foundation Establishment...
Lu Songting has no hope in this lifetime.
He is now in his seventies, but looks quite young because he takes good care of himself.
A cultivator in the Qi Refining Stage can only have a chance to break through to the Foundation Establishment stage before the age of sixty. After the age of sixty, no matter how well you take care of yourself, your body will decline, your essence will begin to deplete, and you will no longer have the chance to Foundation Establishment.
Such Qi Refining Stage cultivators are commonplace among the five major sects of the Jing Kingdom.
Therefore, many older Qi Refining Stage cultivators in the outer sect would try to curry favor with young talents like Chen Shuangbai who were confident of breaking through to the Foundation Establishment, as a way of making an early bet.
Especially those like Lu Songting, who have no hope of reaching the Foundation Establishment Foundation Establishment and are left to handle miscellaneous affairs in the outer sect, and who hold some real power, are even more afraid that as they get older, even this little bit of power will be taken away from them. Therefore, they pay more attention to the outstanding talents in the outer sect than others.
"Good!"
Lu Songting clapped his hands and laughed, a hint of satisfaction and relief flashing in his eyes.
Although the quota for Water Moon Jade Crystal is tight, it doesn't involve the fundamentals, so manipulating it isn't difficult.
What he wanted was a promise from Chen Shuangbai.
As for whether Chen Shuangbai will definitely be able to Foundation Establishment in the future... he wasn't worried about that.
Among the outer disciples, Lu Songting had seven or eight similar talents who were likely to break through to the Foundation Establishment stage. With so many people, there would always be one or two who would succeed.
Investing in advance is always better than scrambling at the last minute.
Moreover, Chen Shuangbai's talent in alchemy is already quite well-known among the outer sect members.
Even if Chen Shuangbai ultimately fails to Foundation Establishment, with her talent in alchemy, she will still be able to secure a place within the sect in the future, making this favor still valuable.
Lu Songting smiled warmly and stopped beating around the bush.
"Regarding the Water Moon Jade Crystal, I can agree. There are still quotas left for the outer sect this year, and I can take the initiative to try my best to secure more for my junior brother. I will also try my best to work on the remaining quotas, but this matter will require some time to negotiate, and my junior brother needs to pay all the Merit Points first before I can begin to proceed. I wonder what my junior brother thinks?"
Chen Shuangbai immediately cupped his hands in greeting, "In that case, I'll have to trouble you, Martial Uncle."
Seeing Chen Shuangbai's proper manners, Lu Songting became even more satisfied.
"I will never forget the kindness and guidance I received from my senior uncle."
Chen Shuangbai, following the cudgel, said another kind word to soothe the old cultivator's heart.
A moment later.
Chen Shuangbai and Lu Zhiyuan bowed and took their leave.
After leaving the meditation room, Lu Zhiyuan smiled at Chen Shuangbai and said, "In that case, Junior Brother can safely descend the mountain and complete his guard duty."
"It was thanks to Senior Brother Lu's introduction and mediation that I was able to accomplish this. I will remember this kindness."
Chen Shuangbai said sincerely.