Five Elements Sect, Outer Sect.
Lin Jiang and Zhang Shuhua stood on top of a hill and saw the Spiritual Farmer in the Spiritual Herb Garden explaining cultivation techniques to the disciples who were planting spiritual herbs in the spiritual land.
In front of them was just one person. Due to Zhang Wanjing's efforts, twelve people were sent from the Spiritual Herb Garden, not from the sect itself, but through Zhang Wanjing's personal connections.
"Junior brother doesn't seem very satisfied with this outcome."
Zhang Shuhua said. He could tell that Lin Jiang was very unhappy about it.
"Yes, I'm unhappy. Even though I listened to my master's words, I still stick to my own thoughts. My master's thoughts are too old-fashioned. You see, just because a father treats his son well doesn't mean the son will definitely be filial. There are also ungrateful children. We should be kind to people, but we need to choose carefully as well."
Lin Jiang expressed his opinion. Zhang Wanjing is too loving and kind, but most good people like him don't have a good ending throughout history.
"Junior martial brother, as you said, everyone has their own personality. My father has been for hundreds of years and he can't change."
"That's why the master always gets taken advantage of."
"Let's not talk about this anymore. I'll go first."
Lin Jiang felt a bit frustrated. He walked away directly. The father and son are just the same - they don't listen no matter what you say. He can't persuade them anymore.
"Where are you going, junior martial brother? My father is still waiting for our report."
"You write it yourself. I'm going home to seclude myself."
Lin Jiang waved his hand. He hadn't had a proper retreat for several years now. These years with Zhang Wanjing, they worked during the day and practiced at night. It was very hard, so he wanted to take a break.
The main problem was that he and Zhang Wanjing had many conflicting ideas. If it continued , Lin Jiang was afraid he would be driven to death by anger.
Returning to his cave, Big Shadiao and Small Shadiao warmly welcomed him. These years, they mostly stayed in Lin Jiang's cave. Although Lin Jiang's cave was not big, only ten acres, it was still better than the Spirit Beast Bag because they couldn't freely soar in it.
"You two siblings are the best."
After teasing them for a while, Lin Jiang sighed. Now he understood why many people liked to have pets like cats and dogs. Pets completely depended on their owners. Whatever the owner said, they would do. They were not as complicated and annoying as people.
This desire for control was really strong.
Back in his room, Lin Jiang began his practice. These past few days, Lin Jiang received the rewards that Zhang Wanjing had mentioned. A golden core Martial Uncle taught him for a few days and answered all his questions about the Five Spirit Manual. It made Lin Jiang have a sudden realization and a deeper understanding of the Five Spirit Manual.
(Translated by Gravity Tales ?)
"In two more years, I can break through to the mid-stage of Building Foundation. After spending fifty or sixty years, my cultivation is finally coming back."
Lin Jiang deeply sighed. Fifty or sixty years, just for a cultivation method. Many people thought it was crazy, but Lin Jiang believed it was absolutely worth it.
Finding the right cultivation method is really important. It makes practicing smooth and reduces the chances of getting stuck.
Three months went by in the blink of an eye, and Lin Jiang finished his closed-door cultivation. Zhang Wanjing didn't say anything because it's normal for cultivators to do that. Even when doing things, they have to balance their cultivation.
Lin Jiang asked about the situation with the disciples who cultivate medicinal herbs, and things were going very smoothly. The effects were good, and there was even a survival rate for growing medicinal herbs. If you plant a hundred, those with poor skills might lose half of them. But now, there are true Spiritual Farmers in the sect providing them with training, and the first thing they improved was the survival rate of the medicinal herbs.
Just this alone has saved them from countless losses, and Zhang Wanjing received praise once again.
Lin Jiang didn't say much about this. As long as it didn't harm others, let Zhang Wanjing have his fun.
After finishing his closed-door cultivation, Lin Jiang's focus returned to himself. He spent more time on cultivation and talisman drawing.
Lin Jiang's spiritual sense far surpasses the average Building Foundation stage. Its strength can support the refinement of all second-grade spiritual talismans. So Lin Jiang is preparing to try refining second-grade high-quality spiritual talismans.
Second-grade high-quality spiritual talismans have a wide range of prices in the market. The cheapest one costs one hundred spirit stones, while the most expensive can reach nearly three thousand spirit stones. The price difference is huge, depending on the type of spiritual talisman.
However, Lin Jiang didn't have many high-level runes in his hands. He originally wanted to exchange some at the sect, but he didn't expect that they wouldn't allow it. The reason was that he hadn't done anything at Talisman Hall and hadn't contributed to the sect. Even if he had Merit Points, it wouldn't work. High-level runes were already at a stage where the sect needed to keep them confidential.
Lin Jiang even specifically asked Zhao Jiang and others from Talisman Hall, and their answer was the same. He had to stay at Talisman Hall for a certain number of years and provide a large number of spiritual talismans before he could exchange runes. And there were also strict confidentiality measures, no leaks allowed.
Lin Jiang had no choice but to turn to Medicine City to purchase runes from the outside world. There weren't many runes available in the external market, and they were all used for regular purposes. He couldn't find any of those powerful and special ones.
"The sect is restricted everywhere, too."
Lin Jiang sighed. He hoped that Zhang Wanjing would take over and become the leader. If Zhang Wanjing took over, he, as a personal disciple, would have many privileges. He could reasonably and legally obtain more runes.
Now that Zhang Wanjing was being marginalized and suppressed, Lin Jiang could only reluctantly accept it. He would use regular runes for now. Regular runes also had buyers, so he would earn some spirit stones first. His wealth had been fluctuating these past few years and had shrunk by more than half.
The end of the year arrived, and what Lin Jiang and the others had done started to show real effects. The farming disciples who had previously come to Cold Crow Mountain came to thank Zhang Wanjing. This year, they promoted new spiritual paddy seeds. Almost all the outer disciples' crop yields had improved, and many people had significantly increased their cultivation levels. Although they were still in the Qi Refining Period, their vitality and spirit were completely different. They had a light in their eyes and were full of hope for the future.
Zhang Wanjing was very pleased with this as well. He believed that his life's value should be reflected in serving the sect, and it was already being shown.
And he was becoming happier the more he worked. Although he was now dealing with the lower level disciples, they showed him a more practical and positive side. It was actually much easier than when he was in the Internal Affairs Hall, where he had to constantly worry about others hindering him.
"The future of the sect lies with them. They are young and energetic. I feel the power of youth in them. Although they come from humble backgrounds and have average talent, a sect needs not only top experts to guard the gate but also a large number of mid-level backbone disciples, right?" Check latest chapters at novelꞁire.net
Zhang Wanjing opened up to Lin Jiang. He saw countless possibilities in these outer disciples, after all, there were many examples of outer disciples rising up and making a comeback. Perhaps among these people, there might be someone who can build foundations, form a golden pill, or even reach the stage of childbirth.
"Master, why are you talking about them? I feel young too. I'm not even sixty years old yet."
Lin Jiang said. Don't underestimate people . We are all young guys. I am too.
"Haha, that's true. You are really good. My junior brother speaks highly of you."
"Is that so? Then when can Martial Uncle teach me again?"
"Don't push your luck. It's not easy for me to invite someone once."
"Master, I'm not joking. I really feel like I need guidance. You are my master, but if you don't practice the Five Spirit Manual, then you have to find someone who does to teach me."
Lin Jiang thought that he had been careless when he became Zhang Wanjing's disciple. He didn't pay attention to what cultivation method Zhang Wanjing specialized in, only focusing on him being a prominent figure.
This old man is not honorable. He knew Lin Jiang was young, so he fooled him.
"Stop it! The teachings of a master to a disciple are not just about cultivation. Besides cultivation, I can teach you anything. As your master, I am more than capable."
"Is that so? Otherwise, if my master taught me how to draw symbols, I would have the power of a second-tier top-grade cultivator."
"You child, you shouldn't have such thoughts. Is becoming a disciple just for personal gain? You need to..."
Zhang Wanjing's face turned stiff. Oh no, he doesn't know how to draw symbols either. This disciple is quite challenging.
"Master, don't go. Just tell me, what else can you teach me?"
Lin Jiang saw Zhang Wanjing trying to slip away immediately after speaking and quickly intercepted him. This won't do, he must get some benefits from Zhang Wanjing, otherwise becoming his master would be in vain.
"When I have some free time, I will teach you swordsmanship that is no less than the swordsmanship of the Cloud Sword Sect's cultivators."
Zhang Wanjing was slippery as an eel. He couldn't be stopped by Lin Jiang. Leaving behind a few words, he disappeared without a trace.
"Is your father good at swordplay?"
Lin Jiang turned to Zhang Shuhua and asked, as if he hadn't heard that Zhang Wanjing was skilled at fighting, but had seen him being very capable of spraying.
"My father has offended all the high-level members of the sect. Can you guess why no one dares to do anything to him?"
"Doesn't he have a powerful backer?"
"A backer can intimidate those at the Nascent Soul stage, but even the elders at the Nascent Soul stage have disciples at the golden core stage. So why don't they dare to make a move?"
"Good question, I understand now."
Lin Jiang was delighted. This was a really good question. It seemed that Zhang Wanjing could really fight, otherwise how could he be so arrogant in the Five Elements Sect?
"My father had conflicts with people from the Wilderness and Cloud Sword Sect before. He was besieged by five sword cultivators at the same level, but he managed to retreat unharmed."
"Cough, cough, I know your father is amazing. Stop emphasizing it. So, how skilled is your senior brother?"
"Tsk tsk, I don't believe it"
"Unless you teach me"
"If you don't teach me, I'm not your master"
"You're my senior, if you teach me, I'll take you to play at the Sweet Red Building"
"You, you, you, don't mention this matter again"
Zhang Shuhua suddenly became angry, you thief, you're messing with his mind again. After suppressing his evil thoughts, you're playing with fire.
"Senior, don't run away. I received a message that a few little fairies have come to the Sweet Red Building. They have a good understanding of people's clothes, oh no, it's people's feelings..."
Zhang Shuhua ran away in panic while Lin Jiang chased after him relentlessly. Lin Jiang couldn't help but look down on him, thinking "Can you even fight? I've never seen you be any good at it. I could take you down easily with a few little fairies."