23: Chapter 23 Old Grudges, New Schemes

Carrying Xiao Hao's jade token, Yun Ming sped along like a bolt of lightning.

He soon arrived at the Deacon Hall.

Finding the Elder in charge of the Deacon Hall, he handed over the jade token and said, "Greetings, Elder. This Disciple has come to join the Inner Sect by the order of Senior Brother Xiao Hao."

The Elder in charge took the jade token and glanced at Yun Ming, subtly frowning when he saw that he was only at Qi Refining Level 5.

"I've heard Xiao Hao mention you. Your Realm is indeed a bit low, which doesn't quite fit the rules. However, I hear you have an extraordinary talent for Alchemy."

Hearing the Elder's words, Yun Ming understood immediately. Cursing the old fogey in his heart, he pulled out a bottle of spring return pill and placed it before the Elder, saying respectfully, "This Disciple refined a batch of spring return pill a couple of days ago, but my skills are crude. I would like to ask the Elder for some guidance."

The Elder nodded as if looking at a teachable student. With a light wave of his hand, the spring return pill flew into his grasp.

He opened the bottle and took a sniff. Oh, ninety-nine percent purity—a rare find!

"Not bad. Your techniques indeed need some refinement, but as an Elder, I am currently busy with official duties. I will guide you when I have time. However, I see you are indeed gifted and young; you would have joined the Inner Sect sooner or later anyway. Follow me."

Although this Elder wasn't exactly a good person, he truly got things done once he took the money.

Soon, all the procedures for Yun Ming to join the Inner Sect were completed.

Upon joining the Inner Sect, he was given two sets of Rosy-patterned robes that represented his status as an Inner Sect Disciple, an Identity jade token, a Tier 1 High-Grade magical artifact, five hundred Spirit Stones, a set of the Sunset Mind-Cultivation Technique, a Storage Pouch, and finally, a jade token for his Immortal Cave.

The monthly Spirit Stone stipend for Inner Sect Disciples was changed to an annual one, and the amount was increased to five thousand Low-Grade Spirit Stones per year.

Additionally, Inner Sect Disciples did not need to complete monthly contribution missions like Outer Sect Disciples; their primary duty was diligent Cultivate.

However, if there was no progress in one's cultivation within three years, they would be demoted to an Outer Sect Disciple—except for those at the Qi Refining Great Circle.

Although the Sect did not mandate contributions, many important resources still had to be exchanged for with contribution points, especially critical resources like the foundation establishment pill.

Furthermore, the complimentary Tier 1 High-Grade magical artifact allowed a choice between offense and defense; Yun Ming chose a kui water spirit light shield.

As for the Sunset Mind-Cultivation Technique, Yun Ming took one look at it and tossed it into his Storage Pouch to gather dust; it couldn't even compare to a single strand of the Supreme Profound Pure Qi Art.

As for the Immortal Cave jade token, one only needed to determine the location of their cave and record it within the token to prevent new Disciples from building their Immortal Caves in the same spot later on.

After seeing off the Elder, Yun Ming fixed the location of his Immortal Cave halfway up Alchemy Peak, right next to a pool of water. The scenery was beautiful and the area was sparsely populated.

It was perfect for studying the Gou Dao—oh wait, the Immortal Dao.

Then, Yun Ming found Carpenter Feng again and asked him to help build the Immortal Cave.

Actually, since Yun Ming had become an Inner Sect Disciple, he could have directly posted a mission using Spirit Stones or contribution points as a reward. However, he still chose Carpenter Feng; after all, Feng had been responsible for his previous residence, so Yun Ming felt more at ease.

Carpenter Feng was very happy upon hearing this and patted his chest, guaranteeing there would be no problem.

Yun Ming's requirements were also very simple: a standard small courtyard, a cultivation room equipped with a Small Spirit Gathering Array, and a Pill Refining Room set up with some Cleaning arrays.

Carpenter Feng calculated the price and asked for one hundred Spirit Stones. After some haggling, they finally settled on eighty-eight Spirit Stones, with construction to be finished in a month.

During that time, Yun Ming stayed at his Outer Sect residence.

Just as he was about to head back and continue cultivating, he found someone standing in front of his door.

He didn't recognize this person.

To him, anyone he didn't know standing in front of his house was treated as a terrorist.

Without hesitation, Yun Ming turned to leave.

But suddenly, he heard someone call his name from behind: "Yun Ming!"

Yun Ming ignored it and kept walking.

The person shouted again, "Yun Ming! I am Elder Qian of the Outer Sect! Stop! I told you to stop!"

Elder Qian? Yun Ming thought for a moment before remembering this person.

He had sent people to cause trouble before, but Yun Ming had driven them away. So much time had passed that he thought Elder Qian had chickened out.

He hadn't expected him to show up at his doorstep.

"So it's Elder Qian. What is it? I'm very busy," Yun Ming said impatiently, coming to a halt.

Yun Ming never had a friendly expression for people who looked for trouble.

"Is that how you speak to an Elder?" Elder Qian's Face was equally dark, his tone unfriendly.

He hadn't expected Yun Ming to be so defiant. He thought to himself, A mere Qi Refining Level 5, what do you have to be arrogant about? I need to teach him a proper lesson.

Yun Ming gave a disdainful snort. "Calling you Elder Qian is already giving you plenty of Face."

"Good lad! How bold!" With that, Elder Qian reached out with a large hand and struck toward Yun Ming, his surging Qi showing no mercy.

A "pop" sound rang out.

A layer of water curtain formed around Yun Ming, blocking Elder Qian's palm strike.

Yun Ming stood his ground calmly, looking at Elder Qian with contempt.

"The kui water spirit light shield! You even dare to steal things," Elder Qian roared in fury. "I'm taking you to the Law Enforcement Hall right now!"

Hearing this, Yun Ming's eyes widened instantly. He picked at his ear, unable to believe what he had just heard.

"Elder Qian, do you ever use your brain before speaking? Let me tell you, I am an Inner Sect Disciple now. You, an Outer Sect Elder, have no authority over me."

Elder Qian didn't believe it for a second. Entering the Inner Sect required Qi Refining Level 6. Seeing that Yun Ming was only at Qi Refining Level 5, he thought he wasn't worthy at all.

But then he reconsidered. He had come here to cooperate, not to fight. As an Outer Sect Elder, bullying a Qi Refining Level 5 wouldn't look good if word got out.

"I am a magnanimous Elder. I can help you hide the fact that you stole that item, but you must do something for me in return." Elder Qian struck a generous pose, assuming Yun Ming was just bluffing and would be moved to tears of gratitude, perhaps even begging him not to tell anyone.

To his surprise, Yun Ming just rolled his eyes and cursed, "Psychopath."

"Yun Ming! Don't refuse a toast only to drink a forfeit!"

"Yeah, yeah, yeah, more of this nonsense. I've heard it too many times already. Got any new lines?" Yun Ming waved his hand in disgust, as if a fly were buzzing in front of him.

Elder Qian felt insulted, but he still suppressed his temper and said, "Yun Ming, I've come to find you for the sake of Spirit Stones. Are you sure you don't want to listen?"

At the mention of Spirit Stones, Yun Ming's eyes lit up. Although he had saved up many Spirit Stones through the System and Alchemy, who would ever complain about having too many?

"Hmph, you should have said so earlier." Yun Ming opened his door and turned to Elder Qian. "Come in and talk."

Elder Qian felt like he had punched cotton; he felt a surge of resentment in his chest, but he endured it for the sake of the Spirit Stones.

Yun Ming's room was very simple. He casually pointed to a stool. "Don't be polite, have a seat."

Elder Qian snorted and sat down. "At least you know what's good for you."

"Alright, alright, enough nonsense. Tell me, what's this way to earn Spirit Stones?"

Seeing Yun Ming's arrogant attitude, Elder Qian's fists clenched. Since becoming an Outer Sect Elder, no Disciple had dared to speak to him like this, except for those Personal Disciples.

Finally, Elder Qian took a deep breath, calmed his emotions, and said, "I need you to help me refine pills!"