Chapter 52: Is It Really Reclamation?
Chapter 52: Is It Really Reclamation?
Having entered the outer sect, Chu Ning made his way familiarly towards Zhuang Yunde's residence.
Halfway there, he unexpectedly ran into Mu Ling.
"Junior Brother Chu, I heard you're here to submit your harvest," Mu Ling said, tilting her head back slightly as she beamed at Chu Ning, her expression conveying that she knew something he didn't.
Chu Ning, no longer as clueless and wary as before, immediately took out the talismans from his storage bag.
"I was just about to visit Elder Brother Zhuang and then look for Senior Sister. Here are the talismans I have to turn in to the sect this season. I'm not sure if Senior Sister needs this many."
Mu Ling's eyes lit up instantly. "How many do you have?"
"3,000 talismans," Chu Ning replied.
"That many? Then I won't have to worry as much about making mistakes..." Mu Ling said excitedly, but she quickly caught herself and toned down her enthusiasm.
She brushed her hair aside and said, "Now, I can focus on cultivating my talisman-making skills."
The two quickly concluded their transaction, with Chu Ning handing over 3,000 talismans in exchange for 60 spirit stones.
Chu Ning didn't even consider giving her a discount for buying in bulk.
Why miss out on profit?
As he watched Mu Ling turn to leave with the talismans, Chu Ning quickly spoke up: "Senior Sister Mu, I've become quite familiar with the talisman sellers in the market during this time. I should be able to get my hands on more talismans. Would Senior Sister like to buy more?"
"Buy! Buy!" Mu Ling exclaimed without hesitation. "Buy as many as you can get!"
After a moment's thought, she added, "I have 3,000 talismans here. In the following months, you can increase the quantity gradually."
Chu Ning nodded. "Then I'll help Senior Sister purchase 1,500 talismans each month."
He still had 7,900 talismans in his storage bag. Selling 1,500 talismans a month to Mu Ling for four months would amount to 6,000 talismans, leaving him with 1,900.
Chu Ning intended to keep these talismans for his personal use, especially since he planned to take the advancement assessment.
If the information Mu Ling had shared previously was accurate, there might be an opportunity to learn talisman-making techniques after advancing.
These talismans would then be useful for practicing, and Chu Ning believed they would be sufficient.
After all, he couldn't afford to be as extravagant as Mu Ling.
Mu Ling nodded and took out 10 spirit stones from her storage bag, handing them to Chu Ning. Including the monthly allowance she had been giving him, this amounted to 32 spirit stones.
"Then I'll buy an additional 500 talismans each month," she said, before taking out 3 more spirit stones and giving them to Chu Ning as well. "Thank you for your hard work during this time."
As Chu Ning accepted the spirit stones and watched Mu Ling's departing figure, he couldn't help but marvel at her free-spending nature.
What a spendthrift!
But the feeling of earning spirit stones was undeniably satisfying.
With the additional 3 spirit stones and this month's errand fee, he had earned a total of 5 spirit stones.
To put it in perspective, this was a considerable sum for someone like Qiu Shuny, whose earnings from a season of farming, after deductions for sect contributions, would amount to a similar number of spirit stones.
However, upon further reflection, it wasn't surprising, given that Mu Ling had a Golden Core stage aunt. This number of spirit stones was insignificant to them.
Chu Ning, content with his earnings, made his way to Zhuang Yunde's courtyard.
Zhuang Yunde, upon seeing Chu Ning, wore his usual smile. "Oh, Chu Ning, I was just about to head over to your area this afternoon."
"Elder Brother Zhuang, I've come to submit my harvest," Chu Ning said as he took out 3,500 talismans and an additional 11 spirit stones from his storage bag.
Zhuang Yunde's smile widened as he asked, "Did you meet Mu Ling again?
Chu Ning then got straight to the point of his visit. "Senior Brother Zhuang, do I register with you if I want to take the promotion exam to advance to Area C?"
"You want to take the promotion exam?" Zhuang Yunde was initially a little surprised. But after glancing at Chu Ning, his expression turned to one of astonishment. "Oh? You've already reached the fourth layer of Qi Refinement, so you do meet the requirements for promotion."
Zhuang Yunde beamed at Chu Ning. "It hasn't even been a year and a half since Brother Chu joined the sect, yet you've already reached the fourth layer of Qi Refinement. Your cultivation speed is quite impressive."
Chu Ning cupped his hands in gratitude. "It's all thanks to Senior Brother's help. I've earned some Spirit Stones, which I've mostly spent on improving my cultivation. Last month, I officially entered the middle stage of Qi Refinement."
Only then did Zhuang Yunde nod slightly. "The Green Wood Eternal Spring Art suits you very well, and with the assistance of Spirit Stones, your progress is naturally faster."
Then, he changed the subject. "However, I'm not the one in charge of the promotion exam. You'll have to find Deacon He to register. Only with his approval can you participate."
"Deacon He Changyou?" Chu Ning asked for confirmation.
Zhuang Yunde nodded again. "With your cultivation speed, reaching the fourth layer of Qi Refinement in a year and a half since joining the sect, and your proficiency in spells, Deacon He will likely agree. However, the competition is fierce, so you should be mentally prepared."
Chu Ning's expression turned serious. "That's why I plan to use Spirit Stones to further improve my cultivation over the next half month or so."
"Regardless of whether I can advance or not, I hope Senior Brother Zhuang will continue to guide me in the future." Chu Ning's words were sincere.
To be honest, while he did have a golden finger, his current cultivation speed and income were largely due to Zhuang Yunde's help.
Even though their relationship was based on transactions and mutual benefit, he still appreciated the help he had received.
Hearing Chu Ning's words, a few more smiles appeared on Zhuang Yunde's plump face. But soon, his expression became pensive as he said, "I really wish I could continue to guide you and the other new junior brothers, but I'm afraid I won't have the chance. I'll be leaving soon as well."
Chu Ning was taken aback by Zhuang Yunde's words and asked in surprise, "You're leaving, Senior Brother?"
Zhuang Yunde nodded, hesitated for a moment, and finally spoke up. "It's been a year and a half since you joined the sect. You should have heard that every one or two years, the sect organizes a group of Qi Refinement disciples to carry out tasks outside."
Chu Ning suddenly remembered what Shang Zhaoxiang had said and blurted out, "Are you talking about the rumor that the sect has discovered a treasure trove elsewhere and is sending many menial disciples there to develop it? But I heard that only menial disciples were being sent. Are you going there to supervise?"
Zhuang Yunde nodded and shook his head. "I am involved in this matter, but not as a supervisor. Moreover, what you heard outside isn't entirely accurate. Initially, only inner and outer sect disciples were sent. It's only because they didn't have enough people that they started involving menial disciples."
"Not enough people?" Chu Ning muttered, and then asked about the doubt that had been lingering in his mind. "Senior Brother Zhuang, is the sect really sending so many Qi Refinement disciples to develop new land? I've never heard of any senior brothers returning."
Upon hearing Chu Ning's question, Zhuang Yunde's expression became a little complicated.
Seeing his reaction, Chu Ning vaguely felt that he might have touched on some secret.
(End of Chapter)
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