Although the undead trench caused the Xiao clan to lose face in the beginning, when brother Wu Gen and Lou Ben entered, they wanted to show the people at the village that the Xiao clan can handle these sort of missions.
As the two figures traveled through undead trench they gathered stacks of material from the decomposing bodies. After they traveled further, they were able to pick up some refining material.
This material was used to create crystals that allowed dao masters to inscribe glyphs and use them as techniques.
The material itself looked like red transparent rock, it was malleable so when Lou Ben and Wu Gen went to retrieve it from the side of the cave, they had to use their space techniques.
The Space Sleeve of both Lou Ben and Wu Gen was getting full.
Lou Ben nodded in satisfaction: "Brother Wu Gen, I think our mission is complete."
They have collected almost twenty-five refining materials, one-hundred-and-seven undead materials, such as skin, bones, bone fragments, and Lou Ben had four eyeballs in good condition!
Wu Gen stared at Lou Ben: "I still can't believe you grabbed those nasty things."
Lou Ben sneered: "Who knows, maybe it will be good for making pills."
Neither of them knew how to make pills or refine crystals, the Xiao clan was always losing profits when they completed missions because they were so poor.
Steward Wen Guoliang gave them a place to sleep and sent them their way.
Wu Gen nodded: "If you can make a pill from this then you can make a pill from anything!"
Lou Ben waved his hand: "Let's get home. We're both at our limits. Maybe we can plan again but we were so poor…"
Wu Gen walked back towards the entrance: "We're only so poor because everyone keeps spending their stones on cheap women!"
Lou Ben laughed: "Hah… well if it's such a problem then take the money from our brothers and keep it inside a treasury!"
Wu Gen gasped: "That's a great idea! We have spent too much on drinks and women, we need to limit ourselves and have the Xiao clan rise. This was the task given to use by Steward Wen Guoliang."
Lou Ben nodded: "Yes, but Steward Wen Guoliang actually left us here without a single word. He might want us to go through these things first. Have us tire ourselves out visiting the palace of sweets, then coming back to the tavern to make proper arrangements."
"If I was Steward Wen Guoliang, I would do that same. None of the people in the Xiao clan have experienced the outside world. There is no harm in having all of us drink and meet new women. The only problem would be if we drown in these poor vices."
Lou Ben pointed his finger upward and proclaimed: "Since you are Masters sole disciple then you will have to carry the burden. Brother, I am just the same as all the others in the clan."
"If I raise my cultivation then maybe I can help you out but all of us remain at the second minor realm of the atmosphere condensation."
The Xiao clan learned that there are four major realms in cultivation as a dao master. The first two come with time and hard work, but the last two are unobtainable because of the last major war that shattered the connection between heaven and earth.
The first major realm is Atmosphere Condensation, where the cultivator begins to harness and control the fundamental energy of the world. This realm is divided into the Initial, Middle, Late, and Peak stages. Each stage represents a deeper understanding and greater control over one's atmospheric energies allowing the cultivator to perform increasingly complex techniques and strengthen their physical body.
Next is the Foundation Establishment realm, which lays the groundwork for more advanced cultivation. The cultivator builds a solid foundation of atmospheric energies that supports future growth. This realm is divided into the Early, Mid, High, and Perfection stages. As the cultivator progresses, they stabilize their energy, refine their techniques, and prepare their body and spirit for the challenges ahead.
The whole Xiao clan are currently at the middle stage of the atmosphere condensation realm.
When everyone succeeded, Steward Wen Guoliang didn't hold any celebrations but immediately teleported them inside the tavern without any words as to what to do in the future.
Not a single letter or not was given.
Lou Ben and Wu Gen proceeded back to the village to complete the mission.
The mission giver was someone from the pill sect.
Lou Ben got to know that the pill sect is actually called the Silver Gate Pill sect.
The mission giver was named Ni Tian. He was short, thin, and had a very average face with brown eyes and brown short hair.
Ni Tian reached for the refining materials: "You two are the first to turn in this mission this week. We have been getting less and less resources from the undead trench."
Lou Ben nodded: "Can't say I'm surprised. The trench moves around too much, and the undead keep multiplying. If you told me that this trench has been accumulating monsters for years I would believe you."
Ni Tian sighed: "Yes, too bad that this trench just erupted out of nowhere recently."
Wu Gen rolled his yellow-gold eyes: "Hey Ni Tian, tell me, what can you do with these?"
Wu Gen waved his sleeve and an assortment of undead materials emerged on the desk where Ni Tian was standing behind.
Ni Tian didn't know much about the materials, but thought that his older Sister Zou Chen would since she has more field experience than himself.
Lou Ben took this chance to ask a few more questions about the Silver Gate Pill sect since it was the first time getting the chance to talk to a male.
It was much easier for Lou Ben to look Ni Tian in the eye and ask logical questions.
He wanted to know about other sects and clans that are inside the village.
It seemed to him that the lower portion of the village on the ground consists of clans and sects, or commodities like the red light district.
Ni Tian talked about the four other major sects and the two other major clans, he only talked about the difference in appearance because he also hasn't had much time outside the tavern that he runs the desk at because he isn't experienced enough to get outside.
Ni Tian left the two with a reminder: "There should be a reason for the others to simply hand in the mission and not ask questions. The people here must be tight lipped, but if you guys see me again, don't hesitate to ask."
The Xiao clan brothers walked out with only so little information but did make a profit of fourth-five aura stones. The crystals they used were worth around fifteen aura stones, so they came up with a profit of thirty aura stones!
When they returned back only half of the Xiao clan members were there.
Wu Gen sighed: "Looks like the other half is out messing around with girls again."
Lou Ben laughed: "Why don't we keep the rest of us here and talk about the treasury."
Upstairs inside the tavern Wu Gen announced opening up a treasury for the Xiao clan and claimed the position of Xiao Clan tavern leader.
There was no argument, everyone knew that Wu Gen is the sole disciple of Master Xiao Weizhe.
Wu Gen also talked about how much each mission completion will be taxed and sent to the treasury.
"We need a steady supply of crystals and we need to be able to afford things like pills, materials, robes, and more importantly information for all these things."
Wu Gen pointed towards the ceiling: "The first person who can provide information on pills and refining crystals will receive one-hundred aura stones!"
That got the attention of the Xiao Clan members!
"One-hundred?!"
"My goodness, I can afford a night on the top floor of the palace of sweets for one-hundred!"
It was safe to say that these guys had their mind extremely focused on the palace of sweets.
Lou Ben sighed: "Look the reason we are having the treasury is not just to afford the important things but also to get the whole Xiao clan on track. We have been spending too much time at the palace of sweets!"
The other members didn't take the news too well: "aw, you're telling me I shouldn't visit Zhao Yue or Yuan Xiurong?"
"Hey you can't keep me away from Yuan Xiurong!"
"Hey! Yuan Xiurong is mine!"
Lou Ben stomped the floor: "You idiots have spent too much money on a girl! How can you complete missions and be happy with this Yuan Xiurong?"
"If we can't keep ourselves focused Steward Wen Guoliang will keep us locked up inside the palace of Xiao!"
"I don't want that!"
"The girls from the silver gate pill sect are too damn cute to have me stuck inside that palace too long!"
Lou Ben was more furious about being held back, there was a lot of beauty and adventures he wanted to indulge in.
Wu Gen sighed: "Look Brother Lou Ben, we will have to start taking a minimum of missions each week. If you guys in the clan fall behind then we will shake your pockets and make sure you have to accept missions!"
The Xiao Clan's first meeting under Manager Xiao Wu Gen went as expected, lots of unhappiness, but the Xiao brothers could not reject Wu Gen.
Unfortunately, these new rules were going to affect the Xiao clan in a major way.