Shen He emerged from seclusion and went straight to the Mission Hall of the sect.
Senior Brother Zheng, who was in charge of issuing and verifying missions, saw Shen He and immediately wore a subtle expression.
“You’ve come out? You’ve stirred up a craze for refining new pills in the sect lately, dumped all the trouble on Hong Kui, and hid away nice and clean yourself.”
Shen He looked embarrassed. “This junior is shallow in learning and has only been in the sect for a short time. Such complicated matters can only be handed to Senior Brother Hong to satisfy everyone.”
The new pills involved too many aspects: procuring raw materials, refining methods and technical improvements, the sect assigning grades and distribution, and how to divide the profits… Cultivators valued techniques, wealth, companions, and land. To make gains on the path of cultivation, money—that is, treasures, materials, and spirit stones—was indispensable.
Silent Night Palace was a large sect with a long heritage, and its internal factions were deeply intertwined.
Shen He had rolled around with his grandfather among the bottom-level vendors and knew his place well. Even a Pang Sanxian could threaten him with his grandfather; how much more so those unassuming seniors in the sect?
Getting Class Hours Points and some rewards suited to his cultivation level was enough. Anything more would be more than he could bear.
Senior Brother Zheng glanced at Shen He in surprise, as if assessing him. After a long moment, he said, “Then live a few more days.”
He asked Shen He, “What brings you here?”
Shen He replied, “I’ve heard that the Purple Radiance Mountain Small Secret Realm is about to open. This disciple wants to go temper himself. I remember that entering the small secret realm requires a key. Does the sect have any in reserve? If so, could I exchange for one?”
He paused, then added a reason any demonic cultivator would understand. “Also, I’d like to secretly exchange for another Foundation Establishment Stage spirit sword. Everyone knows Master Lin gave me one, so I want another as backup. If there are other protective artifacts, please let me pick some as well.”
Senior Brother Zheng nodded approvingly. “You do need to go out and lie low for a bit.”
He took out a booklet. “The Purple Radiance Mountain Small Secret Realm is a new-type secret realm that only appeared in the last few decades. The sect doesn’t have much data stored, just this.”
He tapped the booklet, and one line of text turned into a jade slip, which he placed in front of Shen He.
“As for entry keys, don’t worry. The key for the Purple Radiance Mountain Small Secret Realm allows ten people to enter at once. Just go near Purple Radiance Mountain and hand over a few demonic stones to tag along.”
Senior Brother Zheng took out another booklet. “As for spirit swords… What attribute do you want? Any special requirements?”
Shen He consulted Xie Linlang in his mind. “Shizun, what do you think?”
Xie Linlang had already figured out his development path. He said crisply, “It doesn’t need too many internal runes or any special spells carried within, but the forging material for the artifact must be the highest grade within your exchangeable range.”
Shen He relayed Xie Linlang’s requirements.
Senior Brother Zheng mused, “High-quality materials, huh… Are you planning to refine the internal runes yourself?”
Shen He stammered, “Y-yes.”
“That makes sense. Refining your own runes and spells prevents enemies from knowing your trump cards. Smart choice.”
Assuming he understood Shen He’s thinking, Senior Brother Zheng recalled for a moment and found several artifacts that seemed decent.
“This one: the Hollow Sword, a flying sword forged from the lotus root of a Mysterious Black Lotus. It’s completely hollow inside with no attached spells… Who knows what those refinery bastards were thinking using a lotus root for a flying sword.”
“How about this? The Nine-Branched Banyan Net, for capturing spirit beasts… Cough, don’t look at me like that. Though this net can’t actually catch spirit beasts, Nine-Branched Banyan is top-grade material even Soul Transformation Cultivators would covet…”
“Then this: an Embroidered Ball refined from Bamboo Heart Jade Soul… I know it’s ridiculous. Bamboo Heart Jade Soul is clearly top-grade material those orthodox cultivators use to stabilize divine souls and block heavenly demons, yet it got layered with a charm spell and made into an embroidered ball artifact. Anyway, you have plenty of Class Hours Points. These are the highest-grade items you can exchange for, capped at the limit…”
After finishing, Senior Brother Zheng looked at Shen He. “Which one?”
Shen He hemmed and hawed for a bit before whispering, “Can I… have them all?”
Senior Brother Zheng stared in shock, and Shen He’s cheeks gradually flushed red.
He didn’t want to be so greedy, but Shizun had ordered it…
“Genius! You’ve spotted the unspoken rule: by discovering the karma and benefits you owe the sect in reverse, the sect must shelter you.”
“…”
Now it was Shen He’s turn to stare in shock.
Xie Linlang said calmly, “Demonic cultivators are always penniless. They promise future gains for present survival. You’ll get used to it.”
Senior Brother Zheng cheerfully recorded a debt for Shen He that made one’s head spin just looking at it, then fetched three boxes from the Storage House and handed them over.
“Take them.” Senior Brother Zheng looked at Shen He with unusual kindness. “I’ve already spread the word that you exchanged for these. You might get robbed the moment you step out, and tomorrow someone will come to me with the loot to split it privately.”
Shen He’s expression gradually twisted.
Right—Senior Brother Zheng had just said these were materials even Soul Transformation Cultivators coveted, but no one wanted to spend their own Class Hours Points on them.
