Creating a paradise in an ant nest

Chapter 9 The First Regular Servant

Wangyue Peak shrouded in a thin mist.

A gentle breeze stirs the willow branches. The stream murmurs, and fish swim freely.

Quiet courtyards are scattered throughout the area.

Liu He heard that the same first-order spirit-gathering array that enveloped Wangyue Peak was also used, just like Qixia Peak.

However, Qixia Peak is home to tens of thousands of miscellaneous disciples, while Wangyue Peak only has a few thousand outer and inner disciples.

In the Qian Yuan Holy Sect, the initial stage of Qi Refining is that of a menial disciple, which corresponds to the first to third levels of Qi Refining.

A mid-stage Qi Refining cultivator is an outer disciple.

Those in the late stage of Qi Refining are inner disciples.

"Whoosh~~"

A whooshing sound came from above Liu He's head.

He looked up and saw a figure in a flowing robe descending onto Wangyue Peak.

That was an inner disciple who could fly using his inner energy.

"I wonder what it feels like to fly using air."

He couldn't help but feel envious.

Within the sect, the status and treatment of servants, outer disciples, and inner disciples differ greatly; a difference of just one level can make a world of difference.

He was only a trial trainee in menial tasks, not even a disciple of menial tasks.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Wu Shao's residence.

Outside the gate, Liu He was about to knock when he saw the gate open.

A curvaceous and slender figure walked out of the door and met Liu He face to face.

The two looked somewhat embarrassed when they saw each other.

"Um, Song Qian, is Senior Brother Wu here?"

Liu He never expected to stumble upon Wu Shao and Song Qian's intimate moment.

He had heard about their affair before.

"Brother Wu is here. I just wanted to ask him some questions about cultivation. I'll be leaving now."

After saying that, Song Qian turned around and left quickly without looking back.

After walking a distance, she thought to herself, "Why should I explain?"

The sect does not forbid its disciples from forming Daoist couples or getting married and having children. The two of them are mutually attracted, so why should they worry about what others say?

Liu He stood outside the door, repeatedly lowering his hand that was about to knock.

"Let's wait a little longer."

If he knocks on the door immediately, wouldn't that be telling Wu Shao that he has seen Song Qian?

He wasn't interested in other people's gossip.

Greed for money and lust are human nature, and even cultivators are not immune to these vices.

A moment later, he knocked on the courtyard gate.

The heavy, copper-clad wooden door opened, and Wu Shao, seeing that it was Liu He who had entered, asked somewhat impatiently, "What is it?"

He had just finished doing good deeds and was taking a bath when Liu He disturbed him.

"Senior Brother Wu, I found a medicinal herb in the forest that is suspected to be a spiritual plant."

"Oh? Let's go take a look."

Wu Shao was surprised. His trial repairmen were quite lucky. They had discovered the spirit ginseng less than a month ago, and now they had discovered another spirit plant.

"I'll take you with me."

He grabbed Liu He's arm with one hand, used his lightness technique, and a few wisps of spiritual energy carried the two of them towards the outer mountain forest.

Each takeoff and landing covers a distance of tens of feet.

They quickly arrived at the forest area, and Liu He pointed out the direction: "It's over there."

Li Liangtian was helping to look after the unknown spiritual plant. When he saw the two arrive, he looked excited as if he had discovered it himself: "Senior Brother Wu, quickly take a look and see if this is a spiritual plant?"

"The age of the star Arisaema should be between seventy and eighty years ago."

As Wu Shao spoke, he bent down and touched the spiritual plant with his hand, infusing it with a trace of spiritual energy.

"It contains spiritual energy; it is indeed a spiritual plant. I will summon my fellow disciples from the Flower Garden to transplant it. Liu He, you stay here and guard it. Given its value, the sect will reward you with a spirit stone."

The Flower and Herb Garden is located on Spirit Plant Peak and is one of the sect's dedicated Spirit Plant Gardens for cultivating spiritual herbs.

"Alright, thank you for your trouble, Senior Brother Wu."

Liu He was secretly delighted.

This spirit stone was an unexpected bonus, allowing him to gather enough spirit stones a month earlier to purchase the Meridian Opening Pill.

In a few days, it will have been four months since he came to the sect, and he can receive another spirit stone, which will be enough to make five spirit stones to buy half a Meridian Opening Pill.

"You're pretty lucky too, haha."

Li Liangtian was genuinely happy for his friend.

"By the way, Liu He, how many meridians have you opened up?"

"The eight meridians are almost open."

"Eight? If that's the case..."

Li Liangtian counted on his fingers, raised his eyebrows, and beamed with joy: "You'll definitely break through to Qi Refining before the deadline and officially join the sect. Your future is limitless, so don't forget me then!"

Indeed, as he said, given Liu He's cultivation speed, he only needs half a Meridian Opening Pill to break through to the Qi Refining stage before the deadline.

With the help of the ant nest, as soon as he gets his hands on the Meridian Opening Pill, he will be able to successfully cultivate Qi immediately!

Liu He joked, "I won't forget you. The day I rise to prominence and manage the entire outer mountain forest, you can gather firewood as you please, and all the firewood in the entire outer mountain will belong to you."

"I've got it. It's a deal."

Li Liangtian knew Liu He was joking, but he still fantasized about that day coming.

All the firewood from the outer mountain forest farm is worth a lot of money.

"I need to find a reliable person to buy the Meridian Opening Pill together first."

Liu He considered that since it was a joint purchase of a single elixir, he needed to find a trustworthy person to avoid disputes and conflicts.

"I do have spirit stones..."

Li Liangtian had saved up his spirit stones without spending them.

Whether he should use these spirit stones to invest in his cultivation or sell them for silver is a crucial decision that will affect his future.

If he only has half a Meridian Opening Pill, it will be difficult for him to break through before the deadline.

"Fine, let's take a gamble! Let's buy the Meridian Opening Pills together."

Who can resist the allure of cultivating immortality and achieving eternal life? Li Liangtian also wanted to stay in the sect and fight for a chance.

"OK."

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

A few days later.

Four months after Liu He joined the sect, he received his fourth spirit stone.

Including the sect reward for discovering the spiritual plant, I've collected five spirit stones.

early morning.

He rushed to the forest farm and learned that Wu Shao had gathered everyone.

More than twenty people gathered together.

Among the crowd, Song Qian, dressed in a light yellow, long-skirted robe, stood out radiantly.

Several female trial practitioners surrounded her, saying, "This robe is really beautiful."

"This belt makes your waistline even more perfect, Senior Sister Song."

"Senior Sister Song looks absolutely stunning in her Dharma robes, no less impressive than those Foundation Establishment cultivators."

"..."

Song Qian was flattered by a group of people, which greatly satisfied her vanity.

With the help of two Meridian Opening Pills given to her by Wu Shao, she broke through to the Qi Refining stage in just four months, becoming the first of these menial disciples to be officially recognized.

There was no need to hide her relationship with Wu Shao anymore; they were practically a semi-public Daoist couple, and she had already moved into Wu Shao's residence.

Although some people privately looked down on her and said she sold herself for spirit stones, she didn't care much.

Compared to her background, what do these behind-the-scenes discussions matter?

If it weren't for the detection that her spiritual root had entered the Qian Yuan Holy Sect, she would have already been sold into a brothel by her father, who was in debt from gambling.

In her view, cultivation level and social status were everything.

She is highly accomplished, and others must treat her with utmost respect.

Liu He saw the Dharma robe on Song Qian's body and knew that she had successfully cultivated Qi and entered the sect. He stepped forward to congratulate her: "Senior Sister Song, congratulations!"

This is a necessary understanding of human relationships.

Within their sect, seniority is not determined by when one joined the sect, but solely by the level of one's cultivation.

Outer disciples who have been in the sect for twenty years must respectfully address inner disciples who have been in the sect for ten years as "Senior Brother/Sister".