Am I the old man who's always by my apprentices' side?

Chapter 323 Still Needs to Be Dusted
When Zhang Chengdao heard that the Immortal Alliance's headquarters was ultimately decided to be located above Xunmu, he silently glanced at the various low-level buildings that had been replaced in his backpack, pondering the possibility of using these low-level buildings to help his disciple build the Immortal Alliance's headquarters.

Is that a bit inappropriate?

The main reason is that the Tianji Sect offered to provide the Immortal Alliance with five major formations free of charge, including the teleportation array, the minor spirit gathering and manifestation array, and the Nine Palaces and Seven Luminaries deduction array. The Immortal Alliance didn't even need to provide the spiritual materials, which shows their sincerity.

With the Tianji Sect taking the lead, the Baifu Sect also offered to give away two Mountain-Carrying Warriors for free. However, it would take some time to refine the Mountain-Carrying Warriors, at least three months.

The Tang Clan and Taiyue Sword Sect also made their own offerings, such as cloth, tea, and some rare minerals, which were of considerable value.

As the most powerful immortal sect, and one from which the leader of the Immortal Alliance originated, it would be somewhat shameful for them to make no statement whatsoever.

Zhang Chengdao is now like a parent racking their brains trying to figure out what their child should bring to kindergarten to share, constantly considering what would be both popular and cost-effective.

Although the White Stone Immortal Sect currently possesses the largest reserves of spiritual materials in the world, Zhang Chengdao is actually reluctant to contribute any spiritual materials because the world is in a phase of spiritual energy revival.

[Immortal peaches] are the most abundant, but they are of very low value and are not presentable.

There are plenty of various kinds of spirit food, but this stuff is sold to the public on a long-term basis. Using this to make up the numbers just doesn't look like a serious effort.

After much deliberation, rejecting numerous proposals, and thoroughly searching through his system inventory, Zhang Chengdao finally decided to return to his old profession—

Apply ash.

Nothing offers a more cost-effective building experience than one powered by a cheat code.

In reality, constructing a building would require tens of strings of cash in manpower and resources alone; for something more exquisite and grand, it would cost hundreds, or even more. But if one only uses a cheat code…

It can be done in a few hours!

In any case, the various raw materials accumulated in the warehouse and backpack are more than enough to use up. Over the long term, the outer disciples of the White Stone Immortal Sect have been mining, cutting down trees, and farming to earn spirit stones, resulting in a very considerable output within the sect. There is no need for Zhang Chengdao, the sect leader, to worry about the initiative of the disciples.

So Zhang Chengdao specially led Chang Ping'an, Shi Yizhi and He Shilie to the branches above the Xunmu tree.

Besides Chang Ping'an being the leader of the Immortal Alliance, Shi Yizhi and He Shilie were suddenly chosen by Zhang Chengdao as the cultivators for the White Stone Immortal Sect's current rotation.

Originally, Murong Ruyan and Ye Shuyun were also suitable, but given Murong Ruyan's personality and way of handling things, Zhang Chengdao worried that she would affect Chang Ping'an's actions. The latter was one of the de facto "Executive Deputy Sect Masters" who was indispensable to the affairs of the entire Baishi Immortal Sect. His power in the sect was second only to Xu Ying, the chief manager (disregarding Zhang Chengdao's own words). He was responsible for looking after everything and handling many daily affairs. Zhang Chengdao really couldn't do without him, so he excluded both of them.

Tang Xiaoyu's identity is sensitive. Her disciple, Tang Yinxiang, already holds great power in the Immortal Alliance, and she has close ties with both the Tianji Sect and the Tang Clan. Therefore, she is not suitable to be selected again.

As for Huang Wu...

Zhang Chengdao took a special look at Huang Wu's crooked handwriting and decided that his fifth apprentice should just stick to playing with wood; this kind of "political affairs" was not really suitable for him.

Therefore, the final selections were the newly initiated Shi Yizhi and Heshilie Tudi, who had brilliantly accomplished the Longxi rebellion.

Although Shi Yizhi has good aptitude, he has only been practicing for a short time and has just begun to cultivate Qi. However, he is Zhang Chengdao's personal disciple. Sending him here is a way of showing respect and support for Chang Ping'an.

He Shilie had been traveling for several months, working tirelessly and hadn't had time to cultivate. However, he was ambitious and diligent, so he had reached the fifth level of Qi Refining. Placing him in the Immortal Alliance would not make the White Stone Immortal Sect seem like it was using its power to oppress others, but it would also give it enough strength, which was just right.

Especially this relatively rare purple card, he is very serious and thoughtful in his work. Every time Zhang Chengdao gives him a task, he can complete it very well according to his own understanding. He also has enough experience to act independently outside, making him one of the best candidates to represent the White Stone Immortal Sect outside. That's why Zhang Chengdao picked him out from a group of hundreds of White Stone Immortal Sect disciples.

Moreover, given Shi Yizhi's sudden rise to gold and He Shilie's purple card status, if they continue cultivating on Xunmu Mountain, they might reach Foundation Establishment in no time. At that time, apart from Chang Ping'an, who is the leader of the Immortal Alliance, the rotating members of the White Stone Immortal Sect will still be the strongest, making things easier for them.

Both of them were flattered to be selected for the Immortal Alliance's rotation duty, especially Shi Yizhi. He felt that he had only been a disciple for a short time and that his senior brothers and sisters, as well as the previous batch of outer disciples, were more suitable for the task of rotating duty in the Immortal Alliance than him. However, his master had chosen him, which immediately gave him an impulse to live up to his master's high expectations and to make a great contribution.

When the four of them arrived at the top of the Seeking Tree, they were all somewhat shocked.

Chang Ping'an could fly on his own, while Shi Yizhi and He Shilie were suddenly carried by Zhang Chengdao on the "Somersault Cloud" to look down from the clouds.

After several growth cycles, the Xunmu tree has grown to be as tall as a mountain, and its branches are also very thick. Many of the branches that branch off from the main trunk are tens of meters (hundreds of meters) in diameter, which is wider than a football field and can accommodate many buildings.

There are roughly a dozen branches this wide, and...

Zhang Chengdao placed the two burdens on the widest branch, stepped on it himself, then reached out and touched the branch, attempting to communicate with it using his divine sense.

Unexpectedly, Xunmu, in his half-dreaming state, actually knew how to respond.

And when it sensed that Zhang Chengdao was discussing with it the idea of ​​adjusting the position of the branches, it was warmly invited to experience what it was like to be a tree.

Zhang Chengdao was moved but refused. He only instructed Xunmu to slightly adjust the direction and angle of the branches, making the widest branches as gentle as possible and avoiding overlap, so that the various buildings in the immortal sect's residence could be better planned.

After twisting its branches, Xunmu continued to snore. Chang Ping'an, Shi Yizhi, and He Shilie, however, were shocked to see the branches slowly moving before them. These were no ordinary branches, but branches that were dozens of feet wide and covered with layers of leaves. As they moved, it was as if a hill covered with green trees was moving, which was quite a sight.

After adjusting the arrangement of the branches, Zhang Chengdao nodded in satisfaction. He turned to his three disciples, clapped his hands, and said, "Alright, with these adjustments, it will be easier to plan. Next, we need to define the various sections. Ping An, as the leader of the Immortal Alliance, this matter should be decided by you."

Chang Ping'an was stunned when he heard this.

Although he did discuss some regulations of the Immortal Alliance with several sect leaders and rotating members after the founding ceremony of the Heavenly Mystery Sect, he only roughly determined a few details and did not make any final decisions.

But at this moment, his master had an expression that said, "You must have already prepared, right?" which filled him with shame.

After hesitating for a long time, Chang Ping'an could only say hesitantly, based on his previous private plan, "Reporting to Master, the first priority should be the main hall of the Immortal Alliance. This is of utmost importance and should be located in the most spacious place. I have also thought about it and suggested that we follow the example of our White Stone Immortal Sect and set up a square in front of the main hall, which is perfect for setting up a teleportation array. Once the Tianji Sect's manpower arrives, we can set up the array, which will make it much more convenient for cultivators to travel back and forth."

This kind of planning is normal. Zhang Chengdao nodded and pointed to the branch where everyone was standing, saying, "This branch is the thickest, and it looks to be forty or fifty feet wide. It is just right to place the main hall, the square, and the teleportation array."

Seeing that his master approved of his plan, Chang Ping'an immediately became eloquent and said, "Master is absolutely right."

"Besides the main hall, there also needs to be accommodations and dining areas for those on duty. Since the Immortal Alliance is newly established and has few people, I think it would be good to put these two places together. I think that branch is also good. It is not too wide, but long enough. The extension area can be used to build houses. If there are more people in the future, those branches can be expanded further, and more dining halls can be set up. If there is only one, it is really too simple."

Zhang Chengdao nodded again: "That makes sense."

"Furthermore, I was thinking that the place for handling the affairs of the Immortal Alliance should be not far from the main hall, so as to facilitate the coming and going of all cultivators."

"In addition, the Immortal Alliance should also have warehouses and libraries. Sufficient space should be reserved for the former as soon as possible. After all, as more sects and forces join the Immortal Alliance in the future, there will likely be a considerable amount of various supplies and spiritual materials within the alliance. Just take the Tang Sect and Taiyue Sword Sect for example; they have already sent a lot of supplies to the White Stone Immortal Sect for temporary storage. If these are moved here, there will be no room for them without several large warehouses..."

As Chang Ping'an spoke, his eyes grew brighter and brighter. He gestured wildly, pointing at several branches for a long time until his mouth was dry and he coughed twice. Only then did he turn around and look at his master, only to see a magnificent hall rising from the ground and standing prominently behind him.

He Shilie was alright, as he already knew the sect leader possessed such power. However, the newly initiated Shi Yizhi was not so lucky. He stared wide-eyed, speechless, his eyes filled with disbelief.

Where did this thing come from?!

"Master, this is..."

Although Chang Ping'an had long anticipated that his master had brought him here, he was still surprised that a grand hall would suddenly appear in the middle of the conversation.

This hall is smaller in scale than the Peach Blossom Hall of the White Stone Immortal Sect, and it does not have pure gold decorations. It is more exquisite overall. For example, the eaves are carved with unknown long-tailed birds, the railings are also carved, and the steps are paved with snow-white jade. In the middle of the steps leading down from the gate, there is a large piece of white jade wall carved with nine dragons, which forms a gentle slope and looks very valuable.

In fact, Zhang Chengdao had worked overnight to remodel the Hall of Supreme Harmony in the Forbidden City based on his memory of it, using the name of the Peach Blossom Spring Hall. After demolishing a newly built Peach Blossom Spring Hall and abandoning the various gold decorations, he actually saved a lot of materials. Even these white jade-like things were some beautiful marble stones that he specially selected from a large pile of stones. After all, the so-called "white marble" is also marble.

Of course, due to the rush to complete the project and the hassle, Zhang Chengdao did not completely replicate the Hall of Supreme Harmony (he also couldn't remember what the Hall of Supreme Harmony looked like). He only had a general outline, such as double-layered golden glazed tiles on the roof, vermilion pillars and walls, and white marble (white marble) carved railings, steps, and floor decorations.

Even so, this grand hall, resembling a royal building, is truly astonishing.

"Didn't you say this place is suitable for a main hall? Look at this, could it still be used as a 'main hall'?"

As Zhang Chengdao spoke, he extended his right hand. Without reciting any incantation, the enormous and magnificent hall slowly rose up, then began to rotate in mid-air, growing smaller and smaller until it was barely larger than his palm. It then flew back to above Zhang Chengdao's palm, hovering slightly and emitting a faint spiritual light.

Compared to the vast and magnificent life force of Xunmu, this "grand hall" looks like a child's toy at this moment, but no one has forgotten the shocking scene that just happened.

Zhang Chengdao, holding up the "pseudo-Taihe Hall," continued, "However, we can't just leave it here like this. I called you here so you could clear away these branches and level them. At least flatten it this time. It wouldn't be good if the Immortal Alliance's main hall and the square were all tilted, would it?"

Since his cultivation level improved, Zhang Chengdao has become increasingly adept at using the various functions of his cheat system. Many times, he no longer needs to strictly adhere to the previous methods of using the cheat system. Instead, he has his own intuition and can consume some of his spiritual power to use it in a more free manner.

For example, right now, he can even take out various buildings from his backpack and display them like models.

"But……"

Having only recently begun learning the craft and having barely interacted with Zhang Chengdao, Shi Yizhi couldn't help but ask, "But these branches should be the 'body' of the Xunmu, right? If a piece is cut off, won't it hurt?"

Zhang Chengdao was taken aback upon hearing this, and then fell into deep thought.

How can I explain to my disciples that, from a biological perspective, most plants, especially the branches of tree trunks, do not actually have "pain receptors"...?

Wait a minute, if this world has spiritual energy, it can't be explained using modern scientific theories from before I transmigrated, right?
“Logically…” Zhang Chengdao took a deep breath: “Logically, there should be no problem, but since you have this doubt, you might as well ask it yourself.”

"Huh? How...how should I ask that?"

Shi Yizhi looked completely bewildered.

(End of this chapter)