Chapter 55: Handover

The Baiyun Mountains, Baiyun Gate.

Within Baiyun Gate, six massive peaks were surrounded by over a dozen nearby mountains and canyons, all shrouded by a mysterious formation.

From time to time, streaks of spiritual light would flash between the peaks.

At this moment.

A wave of air was rushing toward a mountain peak. The source was a single figure, tearing through the air as if it were a physical substance. Two shockwaves trailed beside him like two dragons running parallel, frolicking before slowly dissipating.

Having returned to the sect, Cheng Buzheng did not head directly to his wooden cabin in the canyon; instead, he made his way toward Immortal Spring Peak.

He followed the winding mountain stairs, hurrying toward the Salary Pavilion.

Currently, Immortal Spring Peak looked as if it were being entwined by a long, white python.

Before long.

Cheng Buzheng saw the Salary Pavilion in the distance.

A massive pavilion came into view. It was a two-story structure built entirely of Spirit Iron Wood, its surface faintly shimmering with spiritual light. Above the wide-open doors, three large, glowing characters were inscribed: "Salary Pavilion."

This was one of the most popular places for fellow disciples to visit, for coming here meant they could collect their rewards.

Conversely, the place most disliked by many disciples was the Talisman Pavilion, where missions were accepted. Yet, every day, many disciples still had to go there to take on tasks for the sake of spirit stones.

Such was the helplessness of the path to immortality!

At this moment, disciples were walking into the Salary Pavilion in small groups of two or three from time to time.

Cheng Buzheng did not delay. He continued along the roadside, walking steadily toward the Salary Pavilion.

Upon entering the main hall, he discovered that the interior area was much larger than it appeared from the outside.

The hall was divided into many counters, each manned by a senior brother or sister.

There was a counter for exchanging spiritual ores, with the words "Spiritual Ore Exchange" deeply engraved in shimmering gold on the front. These characters were branded using red gold powder.

The front of every counter gleamed with golden light.

Red gold was the most valuable currency in the mortal realm, but in a cultivation sect, it could only be used for decoration.

The amount of red gold powder used for the five large characters on a single counter was enough to provide a mortal with a life of luxury and comfort until old age, demonstrating the immense value of red gold in the secular world.

There were also counters for exchanging spiritual herbs, spiritual talismans, and demon beast materials, as well as a counter for collecting mission rewards.

Currently, several senior brothers and sisters were queuing in front of the mission reward counter.

Seeing this.

Cheng Buzheng joined the queue, waiting quietly for the disciples ahead of him to complete their mission handovers.

Before long.

Once the disciples ahead had finished their business, Cheng Buzheng took two steps forward and spoke softly.

"Senior Sister... here is my mission talisman!" As he spoke, he handed over the talisman.

The senior sister behind the counter looked up at him, took the talisman nonchalantly, and inspected it for a moment before saying

"Junior Brother... you completed the mission well. A passing completion earns thirty spirit stones, while an excellent completion earns forty!"

Cheng Buzheng did not reply, instead lowering his head with a practiced, shy demeanor.

"Here are forty spirit stones. Keep them safe. Leave the mission talisman as proof!" With that, the senior sister placed forty spirit stones on the counter.

Without the slightest hesitation, Cheng Buzheng flicked his sleeve, sweeping all the spirit stones into his storage bag.

After thanking the senior sister and taking his leave, he did not linger in the Salary Pavilion. He exited the hall and hurried along the road.

Once away from the Salary Pavilion, his speed immediately increased.

Suddenly.

The air exploded. Ripples of shockwaves spread from his body like cannonballs as he shot toward the Sutra Pagoda.

Before long, the towering Sutra Pagoda came into view, and the pace of Cheng Buzheng's steps grew even faster.

Arriving at the Sutra Pagoda, he saw two senior brothers: Senior Brother Yi and Senior Brother Niu.

Cheng Buzheng stepped forward to exchange pleasantries with them before entering the main hall of the pagoda.

He did not stop on the first floor. He reached the staircase and went straight to the second floor.

*Tap... tap...*

As Cheng Buzheng entered the second floor of the Sutra Pagoda, the first thing he saw was a black-robed Martial Uncle. The man was still half-reclining in a rocking chair, eyes closed in meditation. As the chair swayed back and forth, he appeared extremely carefree and leisurely.

Cheng Buzheng took a few steps forward, bowed to the Martial Uncle, and then walked silently toward the spell area.

Cheng Buzheng arrived at the First-Tier Low-Grade Spell area. Following his memory from his last visit, he approached a bookshelf and casually picked up a jade slip from one of the shelves.

He extended his divine sense to examine it. This was a spell called "Spiritual Eye Technique." It was quite versatile, covering various aspects, but it possessed no offensive capabilities; it was a spell focused entirely on utility and support.

Cheng Buzheng set the jade slip aside and picked up the next one.

Before long.

After carefully reviewing all the First-Tier pupil techniques, Cheng Buzheng held two jade slips in his hands: "Spiritual Eye Technique" and "Lotus Pupil Technique."

The Spiritual Eye Technique was a First-Tier Low-Grade spell that was comprehensive but lacked specialization. The Lotus Pupil Technique was also a First-Tier Low-Grade spell, but it was a specialized detection technique.

Cheng Buzheng hesitated in his mind. After considering it for a moment, he decided to choose the specialized detection spell, "Lotus Pupil Technique," as what he lacked most right now were detection-type spells.

He picked up the "Lotus Pupil Technique" jade slip and moved toward the defensive spell area. He paused there and let out a faint sigh.

"Sigh... I'll come back next time!"

He resumed his pace, walking toward the pill recipe area.

Arriving at a bookshelf, Cheng Buzheng performed a quick scan. Without hesitation, he picked up two jade slips containing the recipes for "Bigu Pills" and "Qi Nourishing Pills."

This was his long-term plan; he had even bypassed selecting defensive spells just to ensure his future plans could unfold smoothly.

Holding the three jade slips, Cheng Buzheng walked directly toward the staircase exit.

Arriving at the counter, he placed the three jade slips upon it. He bowed to the Martial Uncle reclining in the rocking chair and said softly

"Martial Uncle... these are the spells I have selected!"

Cheng Buzheng also placed his sect token and thirty spirit stones on the counter.

The Martial Uncle, still half-reclining, did not open his eyes. He merely raised his right hand slightly, and three streaks of white light shot from his fingertips, entwining around the three jade slips. The slips each emitted a faint glow, and the white light swirled before shooting into Cheng Buzheng's forehead.

The "Lotus Pupil Technique" and the recipes for the "Bigu Pill" and "Qi Nourishing Pill"—one spell and two recipes—were imprinted into Cheng Buzheng's mind.

The Martial Uncle flicked another streak of white light from his fingertip, which split into three, each wrapping around one of the jade slips on the counter.

Instantly.

The three jade slips flew up automatically, moving like radar to return accurately to their original positions.

Suppressing the urge to check them immediately, Cheng Buzheng bowed once more to the Martial Uncle behind the counter and said

"Martial Uncle... your disciple takes his leave!"

Then, Cheng Buzheng stowed his token and turned to depart.

At that moment, the Martial Uncle, who had been keeping his eyes nearly closed, opened his cloudy eyes. He watched Cheng Buzheng's retreating figure, a faint, almost imperceptible smile appearing at the corners of his mouth, before he closed his eyes to rest once more.