Chapter 8: It’s You, of All People
Chu Huaixu surveyed his surroundings and took a deep breath.
“The air in the Daoist Sect is truly refreshing!” he mused internally.
This was no illusion. Although they were currently in the outer sect area, the spiritual power was far denser than outside, thanks to the Spirit Gathering Magic Array. Even ordinary people, without cultivating, would find their bodies healthier and their lifespans extended if they stayed here.
Li Chunsong looked at the two of them and stated, “The place where the Daoist Sect is located is called [Mountain Beyond Mountain]. I’m sure you two are aware of it.”
“Mountain Beyond Mountain is divided into several areas. The place you are currently in is called [Medicine Mountain], one of the three outer sect peaks.”
“From this moment on, you two are registered disciples of our Daoist Sect.”
Chu Huaixu, who had played games where his main character was a disciple of Spring-Autumn Mountain, was quite familiar with the hierarchical system of major sects. Upon entering a sect, one’s status typically began as a registered disciple. The position of a registered disciple was only slightly higher than that of an outer sect servant, and they still had to work. However, while servants did menial tasks, registered disciples in [Medicine Mountain] would likely be tending to spiritual herbs. Furthermore, servants were not taught Cultivation Techniques, whereas registered disciples would be taught the cultivation methodology for the Meridian-Opening Stage. Breaking through the Meridian-Opening Stage would allow one to be promoted to an outer sect disciple. Above that were inner sect disciples and true disciples.
Chu Huaixu never imagined that upon entering with Han Shuangjiang, they would both start as registered disciples.
“No, I don’t mind. After all, my mission was to sneak in as a servant, so this is technically an upgrade,” he thought.
“But what about Han Shuangjiang? She’s the protagonist of the world, how can she also have such little prestige?”
In his memory, “The Borrowed Sword” had its public beta in the 1991st year of the Profound Calendar, and by then, Han Shuangjiang was already an inner sect disciple of the Daoist Sect.
“So, she actually advanced directly to inner sect within a year?” A guess formed in his mind.
Elder Six, Li Chunsong, looked at the two of them. The smile on his face gradually vanished, replaced by a powerful pressure that emanated from him and enveloped them.
“You both came to Wumeng Mountain during the Hour of the Rat tonight. I presume you all met a storyteller.”
“I want this matter to be buried with you. You must not mention it to anyone, understand?” he said sternly.
After speaking, he first looked at Han Shuangjiang.
Han Shuangjiang immediately replied, “Yes, this disciple obeys.”
Then, he turned his gaze to Chu Huaixu.
After a moment of thought, Chu Huaixu deliberately answered, “This disciple has not seen any storyteller.”
Upon hearing this, Han Shuangjiang couldn’t help but glance at him.
Li Chunsong smiled slightly and said, “Good! Very good, you’re quite eloquent!” Elder Six expressed his satisfaction.
“Remember, neither of you has seen any storyteller!” he emphasized again, raising his hand to end the conversation, signaling not to discuss it further.
This Elder Six, who lost every gamble, waved his hand after instructing the two, dispelling the surrounding restrictions. The conversation between the three of them earlier would not be heard by outsiders unless they possessed a cultivation level higher than Li Chunsong.
“Both of you, give me a drop of blood from your fingertips. I will personally craft ‘Life Tokens’ for you. When a person dies, their Life Token shatters!”
Life Tokens were not rare items. Their function was to inform others whether you were alive or dead, and where you died. Even the pathetic Xue Hu, whom Chu Huaixu had instantly killed with a single sword strike, possessed his own Life Token, which led to the encirclement and capture by the Police Office. Of course, even among Life Tokens, there were differences in quality. The primary difference lay in the second function – your location of death. The higher the grade of the Life Token, the wider the range of its [location] function. If someone like Xue Hu died far away, he couldn’t be located at all.
“For Li Chunsong to personally refine our Life Tokens, it seems the Daoist Sect still values us,” Chu Huaixu thought. “But why do we still have to start as registered disciples?” he wondered with slight confusion.
Chu Huaixu had essentially usurped Xu Ziqing’s ‘script.’ He had expected some preferential treatment as the ‘world protagonist,’ but instead, he had to start from the bottom.
Li Chunsong waved his hand, and two blue ice shards materialized out of thin air. They were sharp, like needles.
Han Shuangjiang was the first to raise her index finger and lightly touch the tip of one of the ice shards, creating a wound. A drop of blood fell and floated towards Elder Six. Li Chunsong raised his hand, letting it hover in his palm, and then his expression changed slightly.
“Profound Yin Physique?”
“I didn’t expect you to have the Profound Yin Physique.”
He clicked his tongue in amazement and continued, “The founding ancestor of our Daoist Sect possessed the Pure Yang Physique, which is on par with the Profound Yin Physique.”
Li Chunsong looked at Han Shuangjiang, intending to offer some guidance on the mysteries of this physique, but hesitated due to the difference in gender.
“There are certain aspects of your physique you need to be mindful of. I’ll have Elder Nine speak with you about it later,” he merely said.
Chu Huaixu, listening to this, had some suspicions. He didn’t know the specifics of the Profound Yin Physique or what precautions were needed. However, information about the Daoist Sect’s founding ancestor, the Pure Yang Physique, had been dug up by players.
“The Dao Ancestor of the Daoist Sect was nicknamed in the player forums as ‘Eastern Continent’s Strongest Beginner,’ a complete virgin.” The Pure Yang Physique required one to maintain the purity of their yang energy, and cultivation could advance rapidly.
The stronger this Dao Ancestor became, the more it proved his yang energy remained unspoiled, and the more his ‘chastity monument’ could be erected. It was said that during the era when the Dao Ancestor roamed the Profound Yellow Realm, some of his old rivals would often tease him about this matter.
There were even unofficial historical records stating that some of his defeated opponents and mortal enemies had considered devising schemes to have him forcefully seduced.
Unofficial histories also recorded that the female sect leader of Spring-Autumn Mountain during that era had mentioned this point multiple times in her diaries and wished to take matters into her own hands, but unfortunately, she couldn’t defeat him.
Chu Huaixu could imagine how many honey traps the Dao Ancestor had to endure throughout his life. Such a powerful individual would undoubtedly be admired by countless people. How many times would he have to remain unmoved?
“As for the mysteries of the Profound Yin Physique, I’ll find out if there’s a chance later.” His melon-eating curiosity began again.
At this moment, Li Chunsong’s gaze shifted to Chu Huaixu. His eyes were filled with anticipation.
“I’m eager to see how many surprises you two can bring me,” Li Chunsong thought with a burning heart.
Han Shuangjiang, her face veiled, also looked at the fox-faced elder, feeling a bit curious. Although she didn’t understand what the Profound Yin Physique was, the fact that it could startle the distinguished Elder Six meant it was probably rare in the world. Moreover, this physique had never been detected when she was at the Joyous Sect! ‘Chicken sects are just chicken sects; they’re inferior!’ The frigid woman looked ahead, thinking, “What about him?”
Chu Huaixu indifferently raised his index finger, imitating their actions, and lightly poked the blue ice shard. His fingertip stung as blood flowed out. Li Chunsong probed with his Divine Sense and uttered, “Hmm?” He glanced at Chu Huaixu, then, disbelieving, probed again and uttered, “Hmm?” Finally, he could only manage, “Let’s leave it at that for now.”
Chu Huaixu understood her meaning and remained unconcerned. None of a player’s character accounts came with earth-shattering physiques or talents. Everything depended on subsequent upgrades achieved through luck, fate, or by completing hidden quests. Therefore, he had long foreseen this outcome.
After completing the necessary tasks, Li Chunsong glanced at a courtyard not far away, channeled his Spiritual Power, and transmitted his voice, “Niu Yuanshan, come out and meet this Seat!”
As soon as he spoke, someone emerged from the courtyard and respectfully bowed, “Niu Yuanshan pays his respects to Elder Six.”
This individual appeared to be middle-aged, with a square-shaped face that exuded an aura of righteousness, making him perfectly suited to play a benevolent official in ancient dramas. However, for some reason, he had a somewhat sorrowful look. Truth be told, he felt truly bitter.
He had an [Organization] mission tonight and had just returned from an outing. Now, he was being summoned again by Elder Six. It was already the Hour of the Rat. Were both sides treating him like a workhorse?
“This is Niu Yuanshan, an outer sect steward,” Li Chunsong introduced to Chu Huaixu and Han Shuangjiang. Then, he instructed Niu Yuanshan, “These are registered disciples I personally brought back. Make the arrangements.”
“Understood.” Niu Yuanshan then raised his head to look at them, couldn’t help but feel curious. For mere registered disciples to warrant the attention of Elder Six? And as his gaze fell upon Chu Huaixu, Chu Huaixu was also looking at him. Both of them had their hearts stirred by an immense wave, and the same thought instantly flashed through their minds: “How could it be him!?”
