Chapter 23
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Chapter 23: Junior Brother Ji, why aren’t you smiling?
After Elder Lu announced this, he spoke to everyone again:
“Ji Yang, since you have found a rare mineral during your punishment, the sect has decided to waive your remaining penalties! You will also receive five hundred contribution points!”
Many people knew that today’s events were peculiar, but upon hearing this news, they looked at Ji Yang with envy in their eyes.
While they were here receiving punishment, others were receiving rewards.
This made everyone feel that their own steamed buns were no longer appetizing!
This meant that Ji Yang would no longer have to mine and could go out; this reward was a huge surprise for most people.
However, when Ji Yang heard this news, he was stunned in place.
“Junior Brother Ji, that’s great! You can go out!”
“The sect has directly waived your next two months of punishment! That’s wonderful!”
“Junior Brother Ji, why aren’t you smiling? Be a bit happier!”
“Junior Brother Ji must be so happy that he can’t speak! Hahaha!”
Seeing He Feng and the others genuinely happy for him, Ji Yang forced a bitter smile; he had just begun to enjoy himself! Why was he suddenly being let out?
His level wasn’t sufficient yet! If he could, he wanted to stay at the mine for a few more years!
Noticing Ji Yang’s bitter smile, He Feng and the others thought he was worried about being bullied outside, so they comforted him:
“Junior Brother Ji, don’t worry. You just go out first; if anyone bullies you, just mention our names. I will be able to leave in a year, and I will make sure you’re safe outside!”
“Right, Junior Brother Ji doesn’t need to worry about this!”
“Thank you, senior brothers!”
Ji Yang clasped his fists in gratitude.
At this point, he could no longer stop it; if he insisted on not going out, it would only raise suspicion, which would harm his hidden plans.
He could always come back in later; there were so many sect rules available that getting back in wouldn’t be hard at all.
Moreover, Elder Chai still owed him a favor, so it was a good opportunity to use that. He could get a new iron pick for mining, which would be much more convenient.
Additionally, he needed to check the situation outside; what if Ye Wuchen came looking for him?
After thinking it over, Ji Yang no longer felt regret.
“Let’s go!”
Elder Lu called out.
Ji Yang sighed; he had planned to sneak back in for a late-night mining session, but time had flown by so quickly.
“Senior brothers, I will go out first!”
“Junior Brother Ji, take care! We will come to find you as soon as we are out; you can rest assured!”
Seeing the eager faces of the others, Elder Lu was somewhat surprised. He had thought they were bullying Ji Yang, but he realized they had a good relationship, which was unexpected.
Then, Ji Yang followed Elder Lu out of the mine’s main hall, preparing to take him back to the sect.
Usually, this kind of task wouldn’t fall to Elder Lu; he just needed to find someone to escort Ji Yang back to the sect.
However, because Ji Yang had a special identity, and due to today’s circumstances, Elder Lu decided to personally take him back to the sect.
This time, Elder Lu did not carry Ji Yang, but summoned an airship, a flying artifact that was only the size of a palm. However, when Elder Lu infused it with his energy and activated it, the airship grew larger, capable of carrying five or six people without any problem.
The airship was equipped with everything Ji Yang could need, and he was surprised because he had never seen such an artifact.
At this moment, Elder Lu’s attitude was very kind; seeing Ji Yang’s curiosity, he took the time to explain some knowledge about flying artifacts.
Artifacts like the airship were generally used for traveling and were relatively slow compared to other artifacts.
As the airship started, the distance from the mine grew greater, and Ji Yang looked back at the mine with reluctance, thinking to himself:
“I will definitely come back!”
Elder Lu, noticing Ji Yang’s expression, thought he was feeling sad about their parting, and couldn’t help but sigh to himself:
“What a promising young person! No wonder Peak Master Ye has taken a liking to him!”
Before getting on the airship, Elder Lu had already returned Ji Yang’s confiscated storage bag.
Ji Yang quietly opened his storage bag to check.
Hmm, everything was there, and his identity token had an extra five hundred contribution points.
There were private rooms on the airship, and Elder Lu kindly let Ji Yang tidy himself up.
The mine was not a good place; after spending a few days mining, one would be no better off than a beggar. Moreover, Ji Yang had entered the mine in a very disheveled state, hardly looking like Ye Wuchen’s disciple at all.
After changing into the outer disciple’s robes and freshening up, Ji Yang finally looked at himself in the mirror.
His face was handsome and his appearance was dignified! The blue robes fitted him well, giving him the look of a young cultivator.
It was a pity he wasn’t standing there in flowing white robes; Ji Yang felt he would probably look even more handsome like that.
However, to fly without relying on artifacts, one needed to reach the Foundation Establishment stage. Qi Refinement stage disciples could already begin to master flying artifacts, and the Great Dao Returning to Origin Technique contained the basic control techniques for objects.
But that was not enough. Ji Yang was currently at the Tenth Level of Qi Refinement, yet he had no understanding of spells. He decided that upon returning, he would take the opportunity to study various spells in the sect’s Scripture Pavilion!
He had long been eyeing that place.
The airship moved quickly and soon returned Ji Yang to the sect.
“Alright, I have other matters to attend to, so I’ll leave you here!”
“Elder Lu, take care.”
After stepping off the airship, Ji Yang looked at the familiar mountain gate once more, a feeling of grandeur filling his heart. It felt as if it had been years since he had last visited, even though it was just ten days ago—truly as if it were a different world!
“Senior Brother, you must stand up for me!”
“Ji Yang is not human! I just switched places with that junior brother and he knocked me down two levels!”
In the residence of the outer disciples, Wuzhen was lamenting Ji Yang’s misdeeds!
In front of him stood a slender-faced young man.
The young man was named Wu Yun, from the same lineage as Wuzhen (his family). He was at the Ninth Level of Qi Refinement and already at the peak of the outer disciples.
Both came from affiliated families of the He Dao Sect. Even though their clan had weakened and only a few members had entered the sect, at least there was still Wu Yun at the Ninth Level of Qi Refinement, who was not far from the Foundation Establishment stage. After that, he could join one of the peaks of the He Dao Sect, ensuring a brighter future for his family.
As the hope for his family, upon hearing that Wuzhen had been knocked down two levels, he rushed over immediately.
Listening to Wuzhen’s complaints, Wu Yun frowned, but seeing Wuzhen, who was only at the Third Level of Qi Refinement, he was quite furious.
So what if someone was talented?
There were many talented people in the sect, but true talent was not only judged by aptitude. Future talents could still be at the First Level of Qi Refinement!
Moreover, he now had sufficient reason to find trouble with Ji Yang.
He did not believe that someone at the Ninth Level of Qi Refinement would be defeated!
“Don’t worry, cousin, I will definitely avenge you!”
“Thank you, cousin!”
Seeing Wu Yun’s determination, Wuzhen’s expression brightened.
He had spent five years just to break through from the Third Level of Qi Refinement to the Fifth Level, yet Ji Yang had knocked him back five years of hard work with a single sword strike. How could he swallow that?
During these past few days, he had even lost the desire to cultivate, but now that Wu Yun had promised him, he finally felt at ease.
“Go to the family and get some Gathering Qi Pills. Rest well for now. When he comes out of the mine, I will go find him!”
Wu Yun concluded, turning to leave.
In fact, aside from avenging Wuzhen, he also had his own thoughts. The family was weak now, and he was the hope for his family. He was eager to prove himself.
Nothing would serve him better than defeating a young genius who had just entered the sect and had a low cultivation level.
If he won, he might attract attention from Shengquan Peak or Denglong Peak.
Although this behavior was somewhat beneath him, it was a great opportunity for fame! He didn’t want to give it up.
As for what would happen if he lost?
He hadn’t thought about it. With his Ninth Level of Qi Refinement, he could never lose to someone at the First Level of Qi Refinement! He had never considered that possibility!
