Chapter 130
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Chapter 130: Understanding
“Ha ha ha!”
As soon as Wang Chen finished speaking, before the middle-aged cultivator could respond, a sudden burst of laughter erupted from nearby.
The laughter was filled with mockery.
Both men instinctively turned their gaze toward the source of the sound.
Standing about ten steps away was a white-robed cultivator, his face adorned with a mischievous grin.
“Manager Gu, my apologies,” the white-robed cultivator said, noticing the middle-aged cultivator’s displeased glare. “I just found this new Junior Brother quite amusing; I couldn’t help myself.”
“Go away!”
The middle-aged cultivator frowned and waved him off impatiently. “If you’ve got nothing better to do, don’t cause trouble! If you need something, wait until I’m done here!”
“Alright then~”
The white-robed cultivator left with a carefree grin, his demeanor utterly nonchalant.
“Ignore that fellow,” Manager Gu said, turning back to Wang Chen with a serious expression. “Are you truly set on becoming a spiritual plant farmer?”
Within the inner sect, there were indeed farmers who managed rice fields, vegetable gardens, medicinal plots, and orchards.
But these were professional spiritual plant farmers; very few inner sect disciples were willing to take on such work, especially new recruits.
They had toiled and sacrificed greatly to secure their place in the inner sect—not to engage in menial labor!
Disciples of Sunset Peak generally fell into two categories.
The first were the scions of prominent families, often not exceptionally talented, who relied on their family’s influence to carve out a path in cultivation, using Sunset Peak as a stepping stone for advancement.
The second group consisted of outer sect disciples who, though talented, fell short of being prodigies.
They knew precisely what they wanted and worked even harder than their privileged counterparts.
Their goal was to one day become true disciples.
At the very least, they aimed to secure a position within the sect’s halls.
Neither of these groups would ever consider farming.
Even if they lacked cultivation resources and wished to avoid conflict, they could still take up part-time roles in alchemy, talismans, artifacts, or formations.
This way, they could acquire valuable skills while earning spirit stones.
Thus, Manager Gu couldn’t comprehend Wang Chen’s decision and offered a gentle reminder, “Spiritual plant farmers are confined to living at the mountain’s base, where conditions are far inferior to those higher up. Have you truly considered this?”
Though Sunset Peak ranked lowest among Yunyang’s nine peaks, it still boasted formidable defenses and powerful gathering formations on its slopes.
The higher one resided, the more favorable the cultivation environment became!
Everyone aspired to live as high as possible, but if Wang Chen chose to be a spiritual plant farmer, he would be relegated to the foot of the mountain.
“Yes.”
Manager Gu had already conveyed all these details to Wang Chen through Brother Cao.
Thus, Wang Chen responded resolutely, "I have considered this thoroughly!"
What does it matter if the environment at the foot of the mountain is slightly inferior to that on the mountain?
The crucial point is that Wang Chen can use this opportunity to steer clear of the inner sect’s turmoil and distance himself from others’ petty disputes.
It perfectly aligns with his strategy for a low-profile development!
"Very well then."
As the old saying goes, even the best intentions cannot sway a doomed soul.
Since Wang Chen himself was indifferent to his future prospects, Manager Gu saw no reason to press further: "I will make the arrangements for you."
"Thank you, Senior Brother."
Wang Chen discreetly handed over a storage bag, saying, "I appreciate your assistance."
Manager Gu was momentarily stunned.
He had not anticipated that the seemingly inexperienced Wang Chen would be so "considerate"; it felt somewhat peculiar.
However, when Manager Gu instinctively opened the storage bag and glimpsed its contents, he immediately broke into a sincere smile. "Junior Brother, please wait a moment; I will return shortly!"
As Manager Gu departed, he took Wang Chen’s identity token with him.
In the time it takes to brew a cup of tea, he returned, handing the jade token back to Wang Chen. "Junior Brother, I have done my utmost."
Wang Chen understood implicitly: “Thank you, Senior Brother!”
Upon receiving the identity token, Wang Chen immediately noticed an additional piece of information within.
Wang Chen was convinced that Manager Gu had indeed exerted his best efforts.
Although it was their first encounter, Manager Gu left a favorable impression on Wang Chen as a responsible inner sect senior.
If Manager Gu were a greedy or miserly individual, he would never have presented Wang Chen with that storage bag!
Exiting the Sunset Peak Hall, Wang Chen did not tarry in the bustling courtyard and made his way directly down the mountain.
Wang Chen was eager to claim his own estate.
Indeed, Manager Gu had assigned him an entire spiritual plant estate!
Wang Chen was brimming with anticipation to see his new home.
As he descended the mountain, he opened the entry benefits bag.
The storage bag was modest in size, containing a standard inner sect robe, a bottle of Yuan Cultivating Pills, three Fireburst Talismans, five message cranes, and a hefty "Inner Sect Manual."
Sunset Peak truly lived up to its reputation as the weakest of the nine peaks, as even the entry benefits bag was notably sparse!
Wang Chen, however, was unperturbed.
Wang Chen had already learned about the situation on Sunset Peak before entering the inner sect.
Whether he had these items or not was irrelevant.
What mattered most was that his cultivation environment had improved significantly since joining the inner sect.
He also gained the qualification to access the inner hall library and exchange for techniques!
Ignoring the robe, elixirs, and talismans, Wang Chen took out the Inner Sect Manual and read it while walking.
The rules of the inner sect overlapped in many ways with those of the outer sect, but there were also several differences.
For example, private duels were strictly prohibited, and if one wished to resolve personal grievances, they could do so on the debate stage.
Every third, sixth, and ninth day, elders from the Purple Palace would take turns lecturing in the courtyard, and all disciples could attend for free.
Inner sect disciples were required to accumulate one thousand contribution points through sect tasks each year.
Failure to do so would result in the loss of their inner sect status.
Additionally, if the sect declared war, all disciples would be summoned to fight.
Wang Chen carefully studied these rules, committing them to memory to avoid inadvertently violating any sect regulations.
As he was engrossed in thought, a cloud suddenly descended on the stairs ahead, blocking his path!
"Junior Brother, don’t you get tired walking up and down the mountain?"
A girl in a light yellow robe dispersed the cloud and smiled at Wang Chen. "I have a flying artifact that I just exchanged. How about I sell it to you at a bargain price?"
Wang Chen was momentarily stunned.
The girl appeared to be around sixteen or seventeen years old, her skin as fair as snow, with sparkling black eyes that were particularly lively. She looked quite charming when she smiled.
However, Wang Chen recalled hearing her voice earlier when he was climbing the mountain.
At that time, she had called him a fool!
Regaining his composure, Wang Chen replied, "Thank you, but I don’t have any spirit stones, so I don’t need it."
He knew his own circumstances well.
He neither came from a distinguished family nor was a prodigy, and he had never met her before.
So why would a pretty senior sister show him special attention?
A cheap flying artifact?
Was she trying to take advantage of him?
Wang Chen quickly stepped around her and hurried down the mountain.
"What kind of person is this…"
The girl fumed and stomped her feet behind him. "I was just trying to be kind!"
She had previously mocked Wang Chen by calling him a fool and had been reprimanded by her own senior sister for it.
Realizing her mistake, she saw Wang Chen descending the mountain and thought to express her apology in this way.
Yet, not only did Wang Chen reject her, but he also ran away as if she were a thief!
How could she not be infuriated?
