Chapter 401

Chapter 401: Offering

“Nowadays, people in the Daoist sect prioritize cultivating their lives, yet they do not realize that the methods for cultivating life stem from two ends, some easy to encounter but hard to achieve…”

The deep voice echoed in the Discussion Hall, clearly reaching the ears of everyone present.

Over a thousand cultivators held their breath, focusing intently, afraid to miss a single word.

One slight error could lead to a significant misunderstanding, affecting the fundamental path of cultivation; even the most restless cultivators needed to settle down and listen; otherwise, there would be no point in sitting there at all.

Today, the lecture was given by Master Puxiang, a Golden Core true master who had lived over four hundred years and was nearing his limit.

Many true masters at this age, in the face of hopelessness regarding breaking through to the Golden Core stage, either hid in their caves, barely surviving, or sought every possible means to collect items for longevity.

A Golden Core like Master Puxiang, who used his limited time to teach and pass on knowledge to his disciples, was truly rare.

Though his cultivation level did not rank highly among the many true masters of the West Sea Sect, he still held great prestige.

He was deeply respected by his disciples!

“Today’s lesson ends here.”

With white hair and beard, Master Puxiang flicked his finger, and the bell in front of him chimed a clear sound.

The disciples who were absorbed in the lecture suddenly came back to their senses.

At that moment, Master Puxiang had already vanished, leaving only the lingering sound of the bell.

Wang Chen, who sat in the corner, stood up straight and walked toward the hall’s exit.

It had been two months since he returned from Huai Mountain, and during this time, his life in the West Sea Sect had been exceedingly regular. Each day was filled with gathering energy, listening to teachings, cultivating, and improving his skill proficiency.

Though extremely monotonous, Wang Chen found joy in it.

Even though his realm had not improved at all, his foundation had become very solid, and his understanding of Dao principles, which was once weak, had greatly enhanced.

The lesson he just listened to about the methods of cultivating life from Master Puxiang was immensely beneficial to him.

He gained a deeper understanding and insight into his primary technique — the Preheaven Five Element Technique.

This understanding and insight greatly benefited his cultivation.

From this, Wang Chen felt a deep sense of happiness as an inner sect disciple.

If he were in the Yunyang Sect, where would he find so many true masters taking turns to teach, imparting the profound truths of the Dao without reservation?

Unfortunately, to learn deeper knowledge, he would either need to join one of the nine veins in the inner sect or pay contribution points to consult with a true master.

The tuition fee for a Golden Core true master was indeed quite expensive!

Wang Chen touched the identity token hanging at his waist, shook his head, and sighed.

Last time, he had spent half of his contribution points, planning to save the rest for unexpected needs. However, over the two months, without realizing it, he had spent several hundred points.

It was his fault for being so enthralled by the exceptional teaching level of the true masters, often leaving him itching to ask questions, compelling him to spend his contribution points. After just three or five times, his savings began to dwindle.

Contribution points were extremely useful within the sect; they were just too useful!

Just as he contemplated whether to check the task hall for suitable tasks, a flying sword suddenly zipped past him.

Wang Chen reached out and grabbed the letter attached to the sword, opened it, and glanced at its contents.

Then he departed from the Inner Sect Main Hall, summoning the sword light to envelop himself as he swiftly sped away.

Traveling Like the Wind and Lightning, he exited the mountain gates and soon arrived at Wailing City, where he met Zuo Xiaomo once more in a private room of a teahouse.

The message Zuo Xiaomo had sent via the flying sword was brief, merely stating that he wished to discuss an important matter.

But Wang Chen understood that if the matter weren’t of great significance, Zuo Xiaomo wouldn’t have disturbed him so readily.

After all, traveling to Wailing City without the aid of a teleportation formation was no small feat.

To his surprise, Zuo Xiaomo wasn’t alone in the private room.

There was also a graceful white-dressed woman, her face veiled, standing beside him.

“Wang Chen!”

Zuo Xiaomo introduced her warmly, “Allow me to introduce my cousin, Xu Xinlan.”

The white-dressed woman bowed gracefully to Wang Chen, “I am Xinlan. It is an honor to meet you, esteemed one.”

“Hello,” Wang Chen replied with a nod, his gaze shifting back to Zuo Xiaomo. “You didn’t summon me here just to introduce your cousin, did you?”

He meant it as a light jest, but Zuo Xiaomo responded with a wry smile, “Of course not.”

The matter at hand was somewhat lengthy.

In short, Xu Xinlan wished to hire Wang Chen as a protector for the Xu family.

Her husband had passed away several years prior, leaving behind a considerable inheritance, including several shops, properties in Wailing City, and two mines.

However, as a widow managing such a vast estate with only a Qi Training seventh level cultivation, it was inevitable that others would covet her wealth.

Thus, Xu Xinlan had sought to hire a powerful master to safeguard her family’s assets.

Unfortunately, half a month ago, the master she had hired met an untimely demise, leaving her without that crucial protection.

In desperation, Xu Xinlan turned to Zuo Xiaomo for assistance.

The previous master had been introduced by Zuo Xiaomo as well.

“Wang Chen, I truly have no other recourse; that’s why I’ve come to you for help.”

Under normal circumstances, the influence of the Zuo family would have been more than enough to protect Xu Xinlan.

But Zuo Xiaomo was merely a peripheral disciple of the Zuo family, holding no significant position within the main branch. Coupled with his modest cultivation level, he found himself unable to assist his cousin effectively.

The best he could do was recommend another protector.

Though there were many disciples in the West Sea Sect, Zuo Xiaomo knew only a handful, and even fewer were trustworthy.

After much deliberation, he decided to approach Wang Chen.

Of course, the role of protector came with its own rewards.

“Wang Chen, if you are willing to lend your support, I am prepared to offer you 30% of the earnings from my shops and mines. Additionally…”

Xu Xinlan retrieved a jade bottle from her storage bag, disregarding Zuo Xiaomo’s astonished expression, and continued, “I will also provide you with three liang and three qian of essence of the wood element each month to aid your cultivation!”

Essence of the wood element!

Wang Chen had little interest in the 30% of the earnings offered by Xu Xinlan, as his focus was entirely on his cultivation. Taking on the role of protector for the Xu family would inevitably distract him and entangle him in responsibilities.

But Xu Xinlan had offered essence of the wood element!

This essence was a heavenly material and treasure, suitable for refining techniques, crafting weapons, concocting pills, and even enhancing the quality of talismans when mixed with talisman ink.

Its applications were vast, and its value immense!

What truly stirred Wang Chen’s interest was that the essence of the wood element was exceptionally suited to his cultivation of the Preheaven Five Element Technique.

It was akin to how Vajra Ghee complemented the Heavenly Dragon Vajra True Method.

Three liang and three qian of essence of the wood element—this was an extraordinary offer!

Wang Chen had initially intended to decline.

But the offer was simply too generous to refuse.

After a moment’s consideration, Wang Chen reached for the jade bottle before him, uncorked it, and took a deep breath.

A surge of pure, elemental energy rushed into his mind!