94: Chapter 94 Rewarding Meritorious Service

Today, the Inner Sect Disciples of Xueyan Cliff risked their lives in a collective experiment, which was a massive success that exceeded expectations.

Although Zhuyun Courtyard was indeed dangerous, it could be entered after paying a certain price.

From now on, this Zhuyun Courtyard would become quite lively.

Those few Elders at the Ninth Level of Qi Refining would absolutely not give up on this path.

If Sect Leader Wu Yin was rational enough, he should no longer allow those in the Lower Stage of Qi Refining to enter the Forbidden Ground.

Even those in the Middle Stage of Qi Refining could only play a supporting role in the Pavilion.

It would be best for those in the Qi Refining Upper Stage to enter collectively, dividing the obtained toxic herbs equally or taking turns.

These matters had nothing to do with him, so there was no need to worry. The most important thing was that he no longer needed to go to the Forbidden Ground.

He recalled today's harvest from his mind.

The images and medicinal properties of each toxic herb clearly surfaced in his consciousness.

Today, he had sacrificed a total of five expensive toxic herbs and one common toxic herb; the harvest could be described as unexpectedly massive.

Facing the wall, he could hardly suppress the corners of his mouth from curling up wantonly.

"Hehe, the one who gained the most today is not Elder Qian Yunchang at all, but rather yours truly."

Elder Qian Yunchang paid the price of seven Inner Sect Disciples to obtain five types of toxic herbs.

This matter was hard to judge.

Losing seven Inner Sect Disciples was indeed a huge price to pay and should have drawn severe criticism.

But if it meant gaining another Foundation Establishment cultivator, this small price could be neglected.

In fact, once Elder Qian Yunchang achieved Foundation Establishment, he might even take over as the Sect Head of the Chiyan Sect. Who then would still consider this a "price"?

Since Xia Shaoxin registered under Elder Qian Yunchang, he had not been familiar with this Peak Master Elder at all.

After this incident, he could be said to have gained a deep understanding of the man.

Elder Qian was a man of resolute will. For the sake of cultivation, he would use any means necessary, disregard everything, and dare to gamble with his life.

Venturing into Zhuyun Courtyard was exactly a gamble with his life.

Everyone else, including Liu Tingting whom Elder Qian Yunchang valued the most, was actually just a bargaining chip.

Furthermore, Xia Shaoxin could see that Elder Qian was an extremely selfish person. Even when gambling with lives, he would never be the first to step up to the table. Following such an Elder was highly dangerous.

In his mind, he pulled up the Taisui Evil Prescription and carefully pondered and analyzed it.

Why was this kind of Pill Formula designated as an evil prescription rather than an orthodox one?

The Dantian is the foundation of cultivation. One should progress step-by-step, consolidate the foundation, and then breaking through the limit would happen naturally.

The taisui evil pill deliberately stimulates the Dantian, creating a false sense of prosperity.

If one could successfully achieve Foundation Establishment in a short time, the illusion would become reality; if not, all efforts would turn to foam.

As the saying goes, "wealth is found in danger." If this wasn't an evil prescription, what was? If this wasn't gambling with one's life, what was?

Xia Shaoxin, of course, had no interest in taking such a path right now.

He had a faint feeling that toxic herbs were usually not used in only one kind of Pill Formula; perhaps they had other wonderful uses.

There were still many Pill Formulas in the Danfang Pavilion, which might hold the answer.

...

For the next three whole days, Xueyan Cliff was unusually quiet.

The surviving Disciples needed to use the Spirit Cave to cleanse the corrosive effects of the toxic gas from the Forbidden Ground, spending the rest of their time resting.

Elder Qian Yunchang closed off his courtyard, and no one knew what he was doing inside.

Xia Shaoxin's life went on as usual, except he temporarily stopped going to the Danfang Pavilion.

For one, he used this gap in time to quietly refine a few more batches of Medicinal Pills.

Secondly, while everyone else had to purge the effects of the Forbidden Ground, if he appeared too relaxed and carefree, it might cause potential trouble.

The Sect Head and all the Elders had their attention focused on Xueyan Cliff.

Undercurrents surged within the Chiyan Sect; behind the scenes, who knew how many people were meeting, discussing, and planning...

Three days later, Elder Qian Yunchang gathered all the Inner Sect Disciples of Xueyan Cliff in the main hall.

In the very center of the main hall, Elder Qian Yunchang's eyes shone brightly, his aura deep and powerful, as he gently looked at each Disciple who entered.

Liu Tingting sat in front of Elder Qian Yunchang, looking listless. When she turned her head and saw Xia Shaoxin enter, she smiled slightly, a faint blush seemingly appearing on her pale face.

Wang Xinhao's listlessness was even more severe than Liu Tingting's. His eyes were tightly closed as if he were asleep, making it seem as though today's gathering had nothing to do with him.

Senior Brother Shao Junwei and Senior Brother Liang Ruoran sat up straight, seemingly fully recovered.

Most of the other Disciples had recovered quite well.

Xia Shaoxin found a futon in the corner at the very back and sat down.

"Come to the front," Elder Qian Yunchang suddenly looked up and said to Xia Shaoxin.

Xia Shaoxin was stunned. Thinking the Elder was speaking to someone behind him, he turned his head to look, but there was no one behind him.

"You have performed a great service; you should come to the front," Elder Qian Yunchang spoke again, looking at him with bright, piercing eyes.

He was undoubtedly speaking to him.

Elder Qian Yunchang pointed his hand to an empty seat between Liu Tingting and Wang Xinhao.

Xia Shaoxin had no choice but to step forward and sit down next to Liu Tingting.

Once everyone had arrived, Elder Qian Yunchang spoke, "Everyone, by going to the Zhuyun Courtyard Forbidden Ground this time, our Xueyan Cliff has performed a great service for the Sect, proving that the Forbidden Ground can indeed be entered."

Joy appeared on everyone's faces.

They all knew what this meant.

The future of the Chiyan Sect would be glorious.

Then, Elder Qian Yunchang's expression changed, and he said in a solemn tone:

"However, because it was our first time entering, the situation was unclear and somewhat different from what was written in the books, which led to a deviation in the plan and the loss of seven Disciples."

Everyone could not help but sigh.

A few Senior Brothers and Senior Sisters, who had good relations with the deceased Disciples, could not help but shed tears.

Elder Qian Yunchang sighed and said, "We are cultivation Disciples. After joining the immortal Sect, we sever all ties with the mundane Mortal World, but after all, everyone still has relatives."

"I have already ordered Steward Qin to send Outer Sect Disciples down the mountain to deliver gold, silver, and wealth to the relatives of the seven Inner Sect Disciples to express our condolences."

Everyone remained silent.

Once in the immortal Sect, the goal was to Cultivate immortality.

Gold and silver were the most worthless things.

However, they also understood. Elder Qian Yunchang had forced this action—the benefits were his, while the deaths belonged to others. As an Elder, he had to do something, otherwise how could he command respect in the future?

"Since it was our first time venturing into the Forbidden Ground, everyone lacked experience. Even if mistakes were made, this old man will not pursue them."

Xia Shaoxin muttered in his heart, 'The biggest mistake was made by you, Elder Qian Yunchang. Wouldn't it have been fine if we just hadn't ventured into the Forbidden Ground?'

Most of the other Disciples thought the same way.

With just one sentence, Elder Qian Yunchang had absolved himself of all responsibility.

"However, while faults can be overlooked, merits must be rewarded."

Elder Qian Yunchang took out a Storage Pouch and poured out a large pile of Spirit Stones from it.

Everyone stared blankly. Was the Elder really this wealthy?

"Each person is rewarded with one hundred Spirit Stones."

Everyone was overjoyed.

An Inner Sect Disciple in the Lower Stage of Qi Refining of the Chiyan Sect only received four Spirit Stones a month. This single gesture from the Elder was equivalent to two years of income.

Furthermore, it was paid in cash, not empty promises.

Deacon Qin Wen helped distribute the Spirit Stones to everyone's hands.

Senior Brother Shao Junwei stared at the Spirit Stones in his hand, feeling a bit ashamed in his heart. Had he known the Elder would be so generous, he should have put in more effort.

"The four groups found four types of toxic herbs, so each group is rewarded with two hundred Spirit Stones."

Xia Shaoxin secretly praised him. In this light, although Elder Qian acted crazily and obsessively, he was also very generous.

Senior Brother Liang Ruoran took the initiative to say, "Junior Brother Shao and I will take sixty, and Junior Brother Xia, you take eighty."

Everyone knew that Xia Shaoxin had contributed the most.

A gratified smile appeared on Elder Qian Yunchang's face, and he gave a slight nod to Senior Brother Liang Ruoran.

That look seemed to say: sensible.