343: Chapter 337 Miscellaneous Matters of the Moon Gazing Sect

Xia Zhangxing wiped the wine stain from the corner of his mouth.

He wore an expression of enjoyment on his face.

Then, he asked casually: "Have you finished your patrol duties for today?"

"Have you checked every nook and cranny of this temple carefully?"

Xia Beiping felt a slight tightness in his heart upon hearing this.

He did not know why this Young Master was suddenly concerned about official business today.

Usually, this fellow wouldn't even deign to step through the temple gate.

"Replying to Young Master Zhang Xing."

Xia Beiping bowed lower, his tone growing more respectful.

"The weeds in the outer courtyard have only just been cleared halfway."

"I was just thinking that once things are tidied up here, I would go to patrol the buildings."

"If you are in a rush for the patrol records, I will go do it right now, and I guarantee I can check all three floors thoroughly within half an hour."

As he spoke, Xia Beiping was about to put down the tools in his hands and walk toward the temple.

He was a clever man.

He knew that in front of these spoiled Young Masters, the more diligent and obedient he appeared, the easier his life would be.

However, contrary to his expectations, Xia Zhangxing suddenly reached out and waved his hand casually, stopping him.

"Alright, don't bother."

Xia Zhangxing hiccuped, his eyes somewhat unfocused, yet revealing a sudden streak of "kindness."

"I see that you haven't finished pulling the weeds in this courtyard, and it's quite hard work."

"The sun is strong today, don't go and ruin your delicate skin."

"You don't need to go on this patrol duty."

Xia Beiping was stunned for a moment.

He couldn't quite believe his ears.

He blinked and asked tentatively: "Young Master Zhang Xing... what do you mean?"

Xia Zhangxing stood up.

He patted the non-existent dust off his buttocks.

He tucked the wine flask back into his bosom, looking like he was taking full charge of the situation.

"I mean, I will take care of today's routine patrol."

"You can just stay here and pull your weeds with peace of mind."

"If anyone comes to check later, just say that I went, and no one will dare to say anything."

After speaking, Xia Zhangxing did not wait for Xia Beiping's response.

He turned and walked toward the main entrance of the temple.

Although his steps were somewhat unsteady, his back exuded an air of unquestionable, spoiled arrogance.

Xia Beiping stood in place.

He was still clutching the small shovel used for loosening the soil.

Watching Xia Zhangxing's back disappear behind the door, the respectful smile on his face peeled away rapidly like a mask.

Replacing it was a faint mockery and a helplessness deeply buried in the depths of his eyes.

"Tch."

Xia Beiping curled his lip.

He muttered to himself in his heart.

"Strong sun?"

"This Forbidden Ground at the back of the mountain never sees the sun all year round, where would there be a sun?"

"It's nothing more than wanting to find a quiet place to hide and drink, while being afraid of being caught red-handed by the Elders."

He knew this cousin of his too well.

Although they were both of the generation mixed with the "Zhang" and "Bei" characters of the Xia Family, and both had the cultivation of the ninth level of the Qi Refining Stage, their fates were as different as clouds and mud.

Xia Zhangxing's father was a Late Golden Core Stage Elder with real power in the Moon Gazing Sect, in charge of the Sect's Penalty Hall, and was very imposing.

On this one-third of an acre of the Moon Gazing Sect, Xia Zhangxing could almost walk sideways.

And what about him, Xia Beiping?

His parents died early.

His only reliance was a distant clan uncle who had long been marginalized.

It had taken all his effort to secure this job of guarding the Soul Storage Temple.

"This is fate."

Xia Beiping sighed softly.

He squatted back down.

He continued to struggle with the stubborn weeds.

Although he felt a bit unbalanced in his heart, he dared not show any dissatisfaction.

Fortunately, although this Young Master Zhang Xing was lazy and loved to show off, he only had the bad habits of a Young Master and did not deliberately bully the branch families like other direct descendants.

As long as he was stroked the right way, life was passable.

"What else can I do?"

Xia Beiping calculated in his heart while pulling weeds.

"Working in this Soul Storage Temple, although a bit boring and without much profit, it is a job that is as leisurely as can be."

He looked up, his gaze somewhat unfocused as he examined the temple that looked ordinary but actually contained mysteries.

This three-story building was called the "Soul Storage Temple."

In the Moon Gazing Sect, its status was sacred and special.

Any direct member of the Xia Family, or a Core Disciple who had made significant contributions to the Sect, once they had a Breakthrough in cultivation and formed their Divine Sense, were qualified to leave a Life Soul Tablet here.

The Soul Tablet was connected to the Cultivator's life.

If the person lived, the tablet remained, and the light shone.

If the person died, the tablet shattered, and the light extinguished.

This was the most direct means for the Sect to grasp the life and death status of its core members.

The first floor of the temple had the largest space.

It was densely packed with hundreds of black wooden Soul Tablets.

What was enshrined there were all the Xia Family members and Core Disciples of the Qi Refining Stage.

The second floor had a slightly smaller space, but the layout was much more elegant.

There were only about thirty sandalwood shelves.

Enshrined above were the pillars of the Moon Gazing Sect — the Soul Tablets of the Golden Core Stage Elders.

As for the most mysterious third floor... that was the highest secret of the entire Sect.

It was shrouded in mist all year round and set with heavy Restrictions.

Only two ever-burning Soul Lamps were enshrined there.

That represented the heaven of the Moon Gazing Sect — the two Grand Elders of the Nascent Soul Stage!

Xia Beiping's daily task was actually surprisingly simple.

Besides tending to the weeds in the courtyard, he just had to take the Jade Slip and go around the three floors.

He had to see if any Soul Tablet had cracked or if any lamp had dimmed.

If there were any changes, he would report it immediately.

The whole process, if he walked quickly, would take at most half an hour.

The remaining eleven and a half hours were completely at his disposal.

He could Cultivate in this place rich with Spiritual Qi, read some leisure books, or even take a nap without anyone bothering him.

For a Cultivator like him with average Aptitude who only wanted to live a stable life, this place was simply heaven.

"Two more years..."

Xia Beiping looked at the soil in his hands, a trace of reluctance appearing in his eyes.

"According to the Sect rules, the task of guarding the Soul Storage Temple rotates every five years."

"In two years, I will have to vacate this position and go outside to take on those bitter, life-and-death tasks."

Thinking of this, he didn't have such great resentment toward Xia Zhangxing, who had snatched his work.

He even hoped that this Young Master would come more often, and ideally, use his connections to let him stay here for a few more years.

...

On the other side.

Inside the temple.

The light was somewhat dim.

The air was filled with the scent of aged sandalwood, mixed with a faint, chilling coldness.

That was the unique aura emitted by countless Soul Tablets gathered together.

Xia Zhangxing walked with his hands behind his back, humming an unknown tune, and swayed into the first hall.

He was in a very good mood.

Taking the job outside just now wasn't really to show compassion for that poor cousin.

It was purely because he had just obtained a pot of high-quality "Drunken Immortal Brew."

If he took it back to his residence to drink, he would inevitably be nagged by his father, saying things like "playing with things loses one's ambition" or "not seeking progress."

It was better to hide in this Soul Storage Temple where few people came.

Drinking while pretending to patrol.

It satisfied his craving for alcohol and completed the task, wouldn't that be wonderful?

"Slurp —"

Xia Zhangxing took another sip of wine.

The spicy wine liquid rolled down his throat into his abdomen, turning into a warm heat flow.

It made him involuntarily squint his eyes comfortably.

His gaze swept quickly across the rows of shelves.

There were really too many Soul Tablets here.

A full several hundred.

Some were covered in dust, obviously the owners were away for a long time, or they were not valued at all.

Others were wiped shiny, and there were even some small offerings placed next to them.

"Crack."

Occasionally, a slight cracking sound could be heard.

That was the sound of some old, abandoned Soul Tablets in certain corners being unable to withstand the erosion of time and naturally disintegrating.

Of course, it was also possible that some unlucky Qi Refining Disciple had been swallowed by a Yao Beast while out on an adventure.

Xia Zhangxing didn't care about these.

The Moon Gazing Sect had a big Family and a big business, and there were as many Qi Refining Disciples as there were hairs on an ox.

If eight or ten didn't die every year, that would be abnormal.

As long as it wasn't a large-scale shattering, it wasn't worth a second glance.

He was like a careless shepherd, counting a flock of sheep that were not worth much.

He didn't even pause his steps.

He just casually scanned with his Divine Sense to confirm that there were no major problems on the surface, and then walked straight through the hall toward the stairs leading to the second floor.

"A bunch of cannon fodder."

Xia Zhangxing muttered, his tone full of disdain.

As if he himself were not at the Qi Refining Stage.

His feet stepped on the wooden stairs leading to the second floor, making a "creak, creak" sound.

As the height increased, the chilling feeling gradually receded, replaced by a solemn and dignified sense of oppression.

The second floor arrived.

The layout here was significantly more luxurious than the first floor.

The floor was covered with thick Yao Beast fur, and night pearls were embedded in the walls for lighting.

The soft light fell on the thirty sandalwood shelves.

On each shelf, only one Soul Tablet was placed.

The material of the Soul Tablet had also changed to high-quality Soul-Nourishing Wood, completely black and shiny, emitting a faint, ghostly light.

The drunkenness on Xia Zhangxing's face converged slightly.

He lightened his steps.

There was a hint of awe in his eyes.

What was enshrined here were the Elders of the Family, the true power-holders of the Moon Gazing Sect.

Behind every Soul Tablet represented a great Cultivator of the Golden Core Stage.

"This is what it means to Cultivate."

Xia Zhangxing looked at those Soul Tablets, a trace of envy and longing flashing in his eyes.

"When I succeed in Golden Core, I will be able to put my Soul Tablet on this floor too."

"At that time, let's see who dares to say behind my back that I am a second-generation ancestor relying on my father."

He thought while walking slowly between the shelves.

The Soul Tablets here were very stable.

It had been eleven years, and not a single Soul Tablet on this second floor had shattered.

In this sea area, besides those few equally huge forces, who dared to touch the Elders of the Moon Gazing Sect?

Walking to a shelf in the middle, Xia Zhangxing stopped.

His gaze became soft, even with a bit of pride.

That Soul Tablet was placed in the most conspicuous position, spotless.

Three vigorous and powerful characters were engraved on the Soul Tablet — Xia Longcheng.

That was his father's name.

"Father, oh Father, you must fight for it."

Xia Zhangxing reached out and touched the Soul Tablet gently, like touching his father's broad shoulders when he was a child.

"In a few years, strive to rush to the False Core Realm."

"By then, our branch's influence in the Sect will be even greater."

"And I can have a few more pots of Drunken Immortal Brew, can't I?"

He chuckled.

He took out the wine flask and took another sip.

He bowed to his father's Soul Tablet, which counted as fulfilling his filial piety.

After patrolling the second floor, everything was as usual.

Xia Zhangxing hiccuped with satisfaction.

According to past practice, once here, one could basically return.

As for the third floor... that was the Forbidden Ground among Forbidden Grounds.

Usually, not even a fly could fly in.

And what was enshrined there were the two Grand Elders, that was an existence like a god.

Even if they were given a hundred guts, no one would dare to touch the Soul Lamps of the Grand Elders.

However, he had drunk a bit too much today, and wine gave courage to the cowardly.

Plus, the heroic spirit from just now hadn't dissipated yet.

Xia Zhangxing stood at the stairs leading to the third floor, hesitating for a moment.

His gaze was fixed on the tightly closed vermilion door, his heart itching a little.

"I heard that the concentration of Spiritual Qi on the third floor is twice as high as that on the second floor."

"And the Soul Lamps of those two Old Ancestors are refined from the legendary 'Mermaid Tears'. Just smelling the lamp oil is enough to prolong life."

"Anyway, no one can see..."

"Going up to take a look, getting some Immortal Qi, it shouldn't matter, right?"

Once this thought popped up, it grew like wild grass.

Xia Zhangxing swallowed his saliva.

He remembered the supreme majesty of the two Grand Elders, and couldn't help but shiver.

But the excitement of peeking into the Taboo made him even more excited.

"Just one look."

"Leave right after looking."

He comforted himself in his heart.

Then, he took a deep breath and untied the warm Jade Pendant from his waist.

This Jade Pendant was not only a symbol of status but also the key to opening the Restrictions on each floor of the Soul Storage Temple.

It was an amulet specially refined for him by his father, possessing very high authority.

"Hum —"

As he pressed the Jade Pendant against the Formation node at the stairs, a soft Spiritual light flashed.

That invisible air wall silently melted into an opening just large enough for one person to pass through.

Xia Zhangxing looked left and right with a guilty conscience.

Confirming that the second floor was still empty, he lifted his hem and walked up on tiptoe.

The third floor.

It was not as big as he imagined.

It could even be said to be somewhat empty.

No extra decorations, no luxurious carpets.

Only an extreme simplicity and etherealness.

The walls were engraved with complex gathering Spiritual Formations.

The rich Spiritual Qi had almost turned into substantial droplets, floating in mid-air.

As soon as Xia Zhangxing stepped in, he felt all the pores on his body relax.

The speed of the Spiritual Power in his body was actually several times faster than usual.

"Good place..."

He couldn't help but sigh in admiration.

But soon, he covered his mouth.

He was afraid of disturbing the tranquility here.

In the center of the hall, there was only a green jade desk made of unknown material.

On the desk, two ancient and exquisitely carved bronze lamps were placed alone.