Lou Huaijing and Ying Muqing heard gossip from others about Teacher Yao Dan appearing and then disappearing in Fengyan City. They glanced at each other and Ying Muqing sighed, "They can really run, huh? Now they're gone again. Senior Brother, where do you think they will go?"
Compared to the four Guyao, Ying Muqing is a cultivator native to Qianhao Continent, but he feels that he hasn't traveled as much as the four Guyao. This time, he followed his Senior Brother everywhere.
Lou Huaijing smirked, "Who knows, maybe they ran off to our Changxian Sect, but the ten-year agreement isn't up yet."
Lou Huaijing only casually mentioned it, but Bijing going to the dangerous territory of Changxian Sect seemed even riskier, and Lou Huaijing felt that it wasn't necessary to take such a risk.
Ying Muqing yearned, "If we see them again, Senior Brother, do you think we could ask for a Lifelong Limb Regeneration Pill?"
Because Guyao appeared twice, seemingly both times related to the Lifelong Limb Regeneration Pill, many cultivators speculated that Guyao still had the pill. Finding them would allow one to obtain this medicine. Some cultivators were eager and eager to find them, but Ying Muyi didn't dare to think so optimistically. He just wanted to meet Guyao again and be able to negotiate for a pill. No one could guarantee that they wouldn't be injured or lose a limb during their cultivation journey.
The two of them followed a team composed of many cultivators and traveled to many places. However, after the incident in Fengyan City, they never heard news about Guyao and the others again. For the two of them, although there was some regret, deep down in their hearts, they were also somewhat glad. It meant that the group was hiding even deeper. Although they were disciples of Changxian Sect, they didn't want these people to fall into the hands of Changxian Sect.
Zhang Qianfeng walked in from outside, and seeing his expression, City Lord Liu smiled and asked, "Did someone come to ask you about the whereabouts of Teacher Yao Dan again?"
Zhang Qianfeng nodded helplessly, "No matter what I say, they don't believe it. Teacher Yao Dan hasn't contacted me, so how would I know their whereabouts? No matter how they inquire, there are no results."
City Lord Liu asked curiously, "Where do you think they will go this time?"
Zhang Qianfeng smiled and said, "This should be a question that many people want to know. If I were to say, they might have gone to the territory of Changxian Sect. The more dangerous a place is, the more likely it is to be a safe place. Changxian Sect has officially lifted the wanted order due to pressure, but their covert actions to capture people have become even more urgent."
City Lord Liu asked, "Can you be certain?"
Zhang Qianfeng shook his head, "It's just a guess, but it's quite likely. If it were someone else, they might just find a place to hide completely, closing themselves off for ten or twenty years until the storm subsides. But they can't do that. I've heard that there is someone leaking information from Changxian Sect. Chi Changye and Changxian Sect's Yan Yuanjing have a ten-year agreement, and Chi Changye will definitely not break it."
"Well then, I'll create some trouble for Changxian Sect. That way, they won't have to allocate so many people to search for Teacher Yao Dan." Unable to directly confront Changxian Sect, but causing a bit of trouble and chaos for them is still possible. If Guyao and the others really make it to the territory of Changxian Sect, the more chaotic it is, the easier it is to hide their identities. He can only do what he can within his capabilities.
Half a year later, in Wunan Town.
Although Wunan Town is located in a remote area, there is a vein of ore outside the town that produces a kind of ore used for refining spiritual weapons. Therefore, Changxian Sect has stationed dedicated disciples to guard this mine.
Unexpectedly, a strange beast appeared in the mine recently, who knows from where. Not only did it devour the ore, but it also preyed on many mining cultivators. In order to eliminate the strange beast, the disciples stationed at the mine had to recruit additional cultivators for the battle, as they couldn't request reinforcements from the sect in time. After great efforts, they finally managed to kill the strange beast.
Kong Qingping is the disciple of Changxian Sect responsible for guarding this mine. Although the strange beast was killed, he didn't show a particularly happy expression on his face because he suffered great losses this time. Although he is also an early-stage Golden Core disciple, it was not easy for him to reach that level. With mediocre aptitude and no influential background, he couldn't get the lucrative tasks and was sent here instead.
The spiritual energy conditions here are much worse than in the sect. Simply relying on absorbing this spiritual energy for cultivation may not make much progress even after ten or twenty years. So he secretly withholds a portion of the ore and sells it privately to other shops or businesses specialized in this trade. He uses the spiritual stones obtained to cultivate or purchase the necessary elixirs for cultivation.
However, this strange beast swallowed a lot of the ore, making it impossible for him to fulfill the sect's tasks for the year. Coupled with the losses of magical tools and other items in the fight against the strange beast, Kong Qingping's heartache can't be overstated. Now, the cultivators summoned by him in the name of the sect, he doesn't want to dig into his own pocket anymore.
One of Kong Qingping's subordinates, a cultivator in charge of miscellaneous tasks, suggested, "Master Uncle, why not tell them that we can recommend them to enter the sect as menial laborers? After all, the sect is in need of many menial disciples lately. With a little arrangement, there should be no problem in squeezing them in."
Kong Qingping, who looks to be in his forties or fifties with a goatee, appears serious, but his subordinates know that he is very stingy.
While stroking his goatee, Kong Qingping said, "You're right. This way, I can make a contribution to the sect. Let's send them to the sect as menial laborers. Plenty of cultivators outside are dying to enter our Changxian Sect, but have no chance. We're giving them a good deal. Go gather them, then announce this decision. If they don't agree, let them find their own way out."
In other words, he won't even pay them for killing the strange beast. He wants to push them away directly.
This subordinate cultivator is obedient. Although it was his suggestion, he behaves as if whatever Kong Qingping says goes.
The cultivator named Zhao Qing walked out and gathered the cultivators who were waiting outside to rest. He repeated Kong Qingping's decision, "Master Uncle said this is a great opportunity for you. He is recommending you to enter the sect himself, taking into account your merit in killing the beast and protecting the mine. Don't disappoint Master Uncle's goodwill."
There were a total of more than ten cultivators outside, and two of them twitched the corners of their mouths. They didn't expect it to be so easy to infiltrate Changxian Sect. They had never seen such a stingy Golden Core cultivator, who even came up with such a grandiose excuse.
These two people were Gu Yao and Chi Changye. If anyone who had seen them before encountered them again, they would definitely not recognize them. Besides their changed appearance, even their figures had changed. It seemed that even their cultivation attributes had changed. During Chi Changye's battle, he displayed the attributes of a fire cultivator from beginning to end.
The change in their figures was a small technique mentioned in the body-refining technique they obtained in Tianlin Continent. It could be used once they reached the second stage. Fortunately, all four of them had entered this stage and found it to be better than using disguise masks.
That body-refining technique was peculiar. Even Chi Changye experienced its benefits after practicing it. However, its name was very simple - Nameless Body Refining Technique. It was divided into nine stages, and the higher the cultivation, the more difficult it became to practice.
As for the change in their attributes, it was thanks to Tian Feirong and the chubby guy. With the use of array formations and artifact refinement techniques, they were able to convert Chi Changye's spiritual power into the power of fire attribute. Not only that, he became a fire attribute cultivator of the spell path, rather than the sword path. As soon as Zhao Qing mentioned this, the discussion among the cultivators outside immediately began. They were all wandering cultivators with foundational cultivation strength. It was not easy to form a Dan through their own efforts outside, and where would they easily obtain Tianyuan Pills? However, things were different when it came to entering Changxian Sect. The sect had abundant resources and controlled several secret realms, providing multiple avenues for acquiring resources. It was much more secure compared to struggling on their own outside.
Zhao Yi stood with his hands behind his back, looking down on the changing expressions of these cultivators. A trace of disdain flickered in his eyes. He didn't know how many menial disciples Changxian Sect had. How could they expect to stand out among them? It was impossible even in their next life. Zhao Qing himself was an outer disciple, so he felt quite pleased to see these people excited over a menial disciple position.
"Luhua, Lufeng, what are you two thinking? Do you want to join Changxian Sect as menial disciples? I heard that menial disciples have more restrictions and fewer places they can go within the sect."
Luhua is Gu Yao, and Lufeng is Chi Changye. The two of them portrayed themselves as brothers. It was a coincidence that Kong Qingping brought them together to kill the strange beast. At that time, they were in Wunan Town inquiring about troubles. It seemed like they were forced, but in reality, they willingly took part in the beast-killing operation.
"That's true, but even a little that slips through the cracks of the main sect's fingers would be enough for us. Although there are more restrictions, the things we can obtain should be more than what we can earn as wandering cultivators."
Gu Yao deliberately appeared to be extremely yearning. In fact, he and Chi Changye had been paying close attention to Kong Qingping's every move using their divine sense. They knew why Kong Qingping made this proposal. It was because he didn't want to pay them from his own pocket. Moreover, they suspected that as menial disciples, they would likely be treated as cannon fodder, without even a formal identity.
"Since you all say so, then I will go with you too. I have to give it a try. If I don't seize this opportunity, I might not have a chance to form a Core anymore as I get older." The older one gets, the smaller the chance of forming a Core becomes. That's why wandering cultivators have a tougher life compared to sect disciples. It's like being a child without parents, having to rely on oneself for everything.
As Zhao Qing had expected, all the cultivators agreed to go to Changxian Sect as menial disciples. Kong Qingping was very pleased when he heard Zhao Qing's report and took the time to send them to the sect. In addition, he recruited more miners to continue mining to recover his losses as soon as possible.
When they were nearing Changxian Sect, Kong Qingping finally stepped out of his cultivation room. Usually, he valued his status and kept his distance from the disciples who were about to become menial workers. Unless absolutely necessary, he would not show himself. Even when he did, he would appear as if bestowing favor from above. Just now, he was excitedly watching the majestic mountain gate of Changxian Sect, but now he became more restrained.
He waved a jade token, and a passage appeared in the protective formation of the mountain gate. The flying magical treasures flew into it, causing several cultivators to gasp in surprise. The spiritual energy inside Changxian Sect was like heaven and earth compared to Wunan Town. They also felt that their decision was correct. Even if they had no other conditions, as long as they could cultivate in such a rich spiritual environment, they had no doubt that their cultivation progress would be rapid.