"Steady preparation leads to a breakthrough into the Dao Palace Realm, Senior Brother, you have overpraised me."
"Since your realm has reached the Dao Palace Realm, according to our Shu Mountain rules, as long as you complete the Dao Palace Realm assessment, Dao Palace Elders can receive more resources needed for cultivation every month."
"Please elaborate, Senior Brother."
Lu Changsheng knew that Shu Mountain elders who reached the Dao Palace Realm had to complete an assessment.
Upon passing the assessment, as a Dao Palace Elder, one could obtain more cultivation resources from Shu Mountain every month.
Indeed, in the survival of the fittest, even in the world of cultivation, resources were limited; the strong had the right to allocate more resources because Dao Palace Elders could contribute more to Shu Mountain than Nascent Soul Elders, and protect the sect for a longer period.
The assessment task for elders was originally supposed to be issued by Sect Leader Taiyuan Zhenren, but as Taiyuan Zhenren was in seclusion, it was instead issued by Senior Brother Li Changye.
"You have cultivated in Shu Mountain for a hundred years but never entered the world outside, creating in isolation, which easily leads to a path of self-destruction. It might be beneficial to take advantage of this assessment to go out for some training. Are you familiar with Huang State?"
"Yes. Huang State is located in the extreme south, with countless large mountains, all dense forests, numerous wild tribes, interwoven with the forces of the Huang Tribe and Demon Race, comparable in size to Xia State."
"Exactly. Fifty years ago, unrest appeared in Huang State, with constant strife between Huang Tribe and Demon Race, which might spread to Xia State. Are you aware of Liang Kingdom?"
"Are you referring to the Liang Kingdom located in the southern part of Xia State, Senior Brother?"
"Liang Kingdom is one of the top ten principalities in Xia State by population, bordering Huang State, also within the sphere of influence of Inquiry Immortal Pavilion, one of the six major Orthodox Sects. Recently, a branch hall established by Inquiry Immortal Pavilion in the border area of Huang State was attacked, resulting in no survivors among the three Nascent Soul Realm elders and hundreds of disciples."
"Since it's within Inquiry Immortal Pavilion's influence, shouldn't the matters of the Liang Kingdom be resolved by Inquiry Immortal Pavilion?"
Lu Changsheng was secretly surprised.
Inquiry Immortal Pavilion was one of the six major orthodox sects; although its foundation wasn't as deep as Shu Mountain, it had existed for 200,000 years. Who dared to massacre a branch hall of Inquiry Immortal Pavilion?
"That principle holds, but the unrest in Huang State doesn't only affect Inquiry Immortal Pavilion. Hence, Inquiry Immortal Pavilion requested we, Shu Mountain, send an elder to investigate together with their elders at the border of Huang State. This is both the Pavilion Master's intent and mine."
"Senior Brother truly lives up to being Sect Leader's most valued disciple, with deep foresight. So, does Senior Brother plan to send me there?"
"Yes, since you have reached the Dao Palace Realm, you can gain some worldly experience. Inquiry Immortal Pavilion will send three Dao Palace Realm elders, led by Elder Ku Mu. If I recall correctly, his cultivation level should be about the fourth layer of the Dao Palace Realm, indicating Inquiry Immortal Pavilion attaches great importance to this matter. With Elder Ku Mu of the fourth layer leading, along with you, there will be a total of four Dao Palace Realm elders, so it shouldn't be too dangerous. Of course, be careful in everything when you're outside."
Li Changye briefly explained the content of the assessment task.
Lu Changsheng understood; this mission was mainly to be resolved by Inquiry Immortal Pavilion personnel.
As for his role, it was equivalent to that of an observer.
Shu Mountain, being the leading righteous sect in Xia State, had to guard against potential threats.
With a powerhouse of the fourth layer of Dao Palace leading, it shouldn't lead to any trouble, right?
Since the recruitment ceremony at Shu Mountain ended, Lu Changsheng hadn't yet picked the next suitable disciple.
This outing might allow him to scout for potential disciples.
Lu Changsheng possessed the Disciple Apprenticeship Simulator, which could automatically search for suitable disciples nearby without requiring his attention.
"When shall we depart?"
"Within ten days, you should hurry to Zhen Nan Pass in Liang Kingdom."
"Understood."
"Report to me what transpires at the border of Huang State upon your return, and the assessment will be considered complete."
After Li Changye assigned the assessment task, he departed by sword flight.
Lu Changsheng didn't care much for the monthly stipend Shu Mountain issued, having the Disciple Apprenticeship Simulator.
However, completing tasks for Shu Mountain allowed him to accumulate points to exchange for rare magical treasures, cultivation techniques, and elixir pills at the Treasure Pavilion.
Additionally, heading down the mountain once was also to see if he could recruit any prodigious talents as disciples.
Before leaving, Lu Changsheng didn't forget to exploit the system once more.
Lu Changsheng summoned his disciple, Lin Qingzhi, to continue power-infusing initiation.
This time Lu Changsheng consumed three hundred days of cultivation, Lin Qingzhi actually gained sixty days, and Lu Changsheng received eighty times the reward, totaling four thousand eight days of cultivation returned.
Lu Changsheng felt the spiritual energy in his dantian had increased significantly, making the Dao Palace even more stable.
"This third-grade elixir pill, the 'Soul-Returning Pill,' can consolidate one's Dao heart after the soul is attacked. I bestow it upon you for protection."
Lu Changsheng handed over a third-grade elixir pill.
"Thank you, Master."
Lin Qingzhi had grown numb after being bestowed various magical treasures, elixir pills, and cultivation techniques by Lu Changsheng in recent days.
He knew if he didn't accept the bestowment, Lu Changsheng would become furious.
In Lin Qingzhi's eyes, his master was undoubtedly a strange person.
[Ding, you have bestowed your disciple "Lin Qingzhi" a third-grade elixir pill, receiving a ten-thousand-fold return reward: seventh-grade elixir pill "Nine Nether Soul Gathering Pill."]
[Ding, remaining bestowal attempts for today: -1.]
Seventh-grade elixir pill?!
Even Lu Changsheng was startled by this disciple-returned reward.
This time, it unexpectedly triggered a ten-thousand-fold reward, returning a seventh-grade elixir pill!
A seventh-grade elixir pill, even in Shu Mountain, was a scarce item.
The Nine Nether Soul Gathering Pill, even if a Dao Palace realm cultivator's soul was attacked, as long as it wasn't completely annihilated, would allow for the soul to be reassembled upon consumption.
"I need to go down the mountain in the coming days. You should refine the spiritual energy I transmitted to you."
"Disciple will strive to cultivate diligently."
Lin Qingzhi understood that Lu Changsheng didn't want to elaborate, so he didn't question further; diligent cultivation was the best way to repay his master.
After Lin Qingzhi took his leave, Lu Changsheng donned his Nine Heavens Imperial Thunder Sword and Taiyi Daoist Robe, preparing to descend the mountain.
Even if this mission seemed easy, to be safe, Lu Changsheng brought various magical treasures and elixir pills along.
The matter of Huang State, drawing simultaneous attention from the two major orthodox sects, Shu Mountain and Inquiry Immortal Pavilion, requiring four Dao Palace realm powerhouses to investigate, was anything but simple.
One cannot wander the martial world without encountering danger.
Lu Changsheng understood this principle, applicable in any world.
Though vast and boundless, with Lu Changsheng's cultivation level, he could arrive in Liang Kingdom in a matter of days by sword flight.
Shu Mountain was located in the central part of Xia State, while Inquiry Immortal Pavilion was in the southern part; Liang Kingdom lay within Inquiry Immortal Pavilion's sphere of influence.
The original owner of Lu Changsheng's body had cultivated for a total of 250 years, spending most of his time in Shu Mountain, so his memories contained little knowledge of the world outside Shu Mountain.
This time, Lu Changsheng was taking advantage of the opportunity to make contact with cultivators outside Shu Mountain.
With good fortune, he might recruit one or two more remarkable disciples.
"Inquiry Immortal Pavilion, ranking fifth in strength among the six major orthodox sects. The Pavilion Master visited Shu Mountain fifteen hundred years ago to spar with Taiyuan Zhenren, losing all three bouts..."