https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-63-The-Legacy-of-the-Spirit-Talisman-Pavilion/12549147/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-65-The-Azurewood-Sword-Technique/12549149/
Chapter 64: Zhuang Yunde's Guidance
Chapter 64: Zhuang Yunde's Guidance
"This Spirit Pavilion is quite generous. It seems their usual business is quite lucrative."
As Chu Ning left the Spirit Talisman Pavilion, he couldn't help but feel a twinge of joy.
After giving Chu Ning the jade slip for talisman-making, Liao Yunming also gave him five talismans.
Unlike the lower-grade beginner talismans that Chu Ning had bought before, four of the five talismans from Liao Yunming were middle-grade beginner talismans.
One of them was even an upper-grade beginner talisman!
And it was a defensive talisman, the most expensive type among talismans.
In Liao Yunming's words, the Spirit Talisman Pavilion might not have a lot of other things, but they definitely had plenty of talismans.
Even though Chu Ning knew that the Spirit Talisman Pavilion made their living by creating talismans.
He was still extremely surprised that they gave him an upper-grade talisman on his first visit.
Before he left, Liao Yunming even gave him 500 blank talisman papers and instructed him to practice diligently.
He told Chu Ning that he could come back and ask any of the senior disciples for help if he had any questions, and he also introduced him to a disciple named Tan Jing.
Although Chu Ning already had quite a few talisman papers, the comprehensive gifts from the Spirit Talisman Pavilion still left him deeply touched.
Thinking about today's unexpected gains, he felt his steps becoming lighter and his mood lifting.
For him, joining the Spirit Talisman Pavilion and learning the art of talisman-making was definitely one of the biggest achievements of the day.
The other was that he had officially become an outer disciple!
Previously, he had known that if he revealed his true cultivation level, he would definitely be accepted as an outer disciple.
However, in order to keep his secret of constantly refreshing his talent a secret, he dared not reveal his cultivation progress.
But that didn't mean he didn't want to become an outer disciple. After all, he was well aware of the vast differences between being a menial disciple and an outer disciple of Qingxi Zong.
For example, the information about body tempering and spirit plant cultivation that Zhuang Yunde had helped him obtain was just a small part of those benefits.
In the later stages, there would also be significant differences in the choice of cultivation techniques.
After all, the Greenwood Eternal Spring Technique that Chu Ning currently possessed was only suitable for the late Qi Refining stage.
Moreover, menial disciples could usually only go to the market to purchase things, while outer disciples had access to the Hundred Treasures Pavilion, which was not only more convenient but also offered better prices.
The list of benefits went on.
Now that he had become an outer disciple in this unexpected way, Chu Ning was overjoyed.
Remembering He Changyou's previous instructions, Chu Ning prepared to go directly to the outer sect and find the dojo of the Spirit Plant House.
However, after some thought, Chu Ning changed his direction and headed toward the residence of Zhuang Yunde and Mu Ling.
When he had first entered the outer sect, Zhuang Yunde had probably guessed the reason for his presence there.
Although Zhuang Yunde had gained quite a few benefits from Chu Ning, Chu Ning felt that he had received even more help from him.
Not to mention, Mu Ling had provided him with such important information.
Out of both emotional and logical considerations, Chu Ning felt that he should express his gratitude to both of them.
He arrived at Mu Ling's residence first; they were, after all, fellow members of the Spirit Talisman Pavilion now.
However, Mu Ling wasn't at home, so Chu Ning left a sound-transmitting talisman on her door.
He explained that he had obtained the opportunity to learn talisman-making through the competition and thanked Mu Ling for the information she had provided before.
After leaving Mu Ling's residence, Chu Ning made his way toward Zhuang Yunde's dwelling.
He had only taken a few steps when he spotted Zhuang Yunde walking towards him from a distance.
Before Chu Ning could greet him, Zhuang Yunde spoke first.
"I just returned from the dojo, and it was He Changyou who told me," said Zhuang Yunde. Then, addressing Chu Ning, he continued, "It's not convenient to talk here. Let's go to my courtyard instead."
Chu Ning hesitated for a moment before following Zhuang Yunde to his courtyard.
A familiar smile appeared on Zhuang Yunde's round face as he cheerfully said to Chu Ning, "I assume you're coming from the Spirit Talisman Pavilion, and you're on your way to find He Changyou?"
Chu Ning nodded. Since Zhuang Yunde had just come from the Spirit Plant House dojo, it was only natural that he was aware of these matters.
Zhuang Yunde smiled and said, "Brother Chu, there's even better news awaiting you."
These words left Chu Ning momentarily stunned, unsure of what Zhuang Yunde meant.
However, Zhuang Yunde didn't leave him guessing for long. He quickly elaborated, "If He Changyou asks, go ahead and tell him about all the gifts the Pavilion Master of the Spirit Talisman Pavilion gave you, as well as the things he mentioned he'd give you in the future."
For a moment, Chu Ning was perplexed, and he asked, "Why is that?"
Zhuang Yunde replied with a smile, "The Hundred Arts Hall doesn't hold a high position within the sect, and He Changyou's Spirit Plant House isn't particularly influential within the Hall either. Now that you, Brother Chu, have become a disciple of both halls, if He Changyou learns that the Spirit Talisman Pavilion has bestowed upon you numerous favors... considering his prideful nature..."
At this point, Zhuang Yunde smiled meaningfully.
"What do you think he'll do? He can't possibly show no gratitude, can he?"
By now, Chu Ning fully understood what Zhuang Yunde was implying.
In his heart, he deeply admired this brother's instinct and skill for seeking benefits.
No wonder Zhuang Yunde, despite being just an execution disciple in the Ding District, lived such a comfortable life.
"Thank you, Brother Zhuang, for your advice," Chu Ning said, bowing respectfully once again.
Only then did Zhuang Yunde smile and accept his thanks, continuing with his guidance, "Of course, our Spirit Plant House doesn't have as many resources as the Spirit Talisman Pavilion. After all, some rare spirit plants are either in the hands of the sect elders or directly controlled by the sect itself. However, He Changyou does have knowledge of the cultivation methods for some of these rare spirit plants.
Also, since you've only recently joined, I assume you haven't had much time to cultivate your spells or prepare artifacts. Don't hold back in making your requests known. If all else fails, you can always ask for more spirit stones..."
Hearing Zhuang Yunde's words, Chu Ning was momentarily at a loss for words, impressed by his bone-deep shrewdness.
After expressing his gratitude once more, Chu Ning took his leave.
However, as he made his way from the outer sect towards the Spirit Plant House, his mind was filled with questions.
Given Zhuang Yunde's astuteness, why would he want to participate in the sect's dangerous mission a month later?
Could it really be just for the sake of gaining better resources to aid his breakthrough into the inner sect?
Of course, these questions merely flashed through his mind, and he didn't dwell on them further.
What truly occupied his thoughts was whether He Changyou would really play along as Zhuang Yunde had predicted, allowing him to reap these benefits. With this in mind, Chu Ning quickened his pace.
(End of Chapter)
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