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

Chapter 88 The Third Disciple's Advice
In the original game, there were six color tiers of items: gray, green, blue, purple, gold, and red.

Among them, the red-grade items are not only red, but also shimmer with gold light, which is very fitting for their high-end and sophisticated status.

Zhang Chengdao took out "Ten Thousand Swords Return to the Source" and carefully flipped through it, discovering that it was a magic manual. Moreover, this magic was one of the most common magics in the cultivation system, called "Ten Thousand Swords Return to the Source," also known as "Great Sword Summoning Technique," or "Watch me shake ten thousand swords over and stab you to death."

This technique is widely known and similar to other techniques found in various novels and games. When used, it is characterized by its flashy moves and imposing presence, making it an essential technique for showing off at home or while traveling.

but……

Upon seeing the instruction in the manual that one must be at least at the Core Formation stage to cultivate this technique, Zhang Chengdao's face instantly darkened.

It's in Europe, but not completely.

I finally managed to pull out a top-tier red manual, but there's still a hurdle to overcome!
After putting "Ten Thousand Swords Return to the Source" back into his backpack, Zhang Chengdao slowly strolled towards the mulberry grove next door.

Normally, Murong Ruyan likes to cultivate in the mulberry grove in the morning—she seems to really enjoy shaking the trees and picking up the fallen leaves, after all, who can resist opening a blind box!
Even though there are only three types of blind boxes that drop.

After shaking the trees, she would sit and meditate in the mulberry grove, where the spiritual energy was much richer than in the thatched cottage.

When Zhang Chengdao arrived at the mulberry grove, he saw Murong Ruyan meditating under a mulberry tree, while the squirrel that had been following her was also meditating on the trunk of a mulberry tree, imitating a human by crossing its legs.

However, squirrels are squirrels after all; they can't have their soles and palms facing upwards like humans, so they just imitated the appearance, which looks quite comical.

Of course, this squirrel actually had a name. Murong Ruyan had always called it "Little Thief" with great displeasure. It was only after Zhang Chengdao saw the squirrel and the little fox fighting a few times that he couldn't help but say that it was as strong as "Sandy" that Murong Ruyan named it "Sandy".

Sandy is a typical "learner," dedicated to seeing herself as a human being, and she tries to imitate everything Murong Ruyan does.

So, when Murong Ruyan was meditating, Sandy, though she didn't understand what she was doing, patiently tried to meditate like Murong Ruyan. However, because she couldn't sit still, she would jump down from the tree every now and then, circle around Murong Ruyan, and then jump back up to continue "meditating".

Hmm... it could also be numbness in the feet.

"Like smoke,"

From afar, Zhang Chengdao adopted the demeanor of a kind elder, took out the [Scaled Iron Hammer] from his backpack, and said, "I've forged a giant hammer for you. See if you like it."

As he spoke, he handed over the hammer, adding in a pretentious manner, "The spiritual energy here is thin, and there are too few spiritual materials and ores. Even if you want to forge something good, it won't be easy... Well, this will have to do!"

Murong Ruyan was pleasantly surprised to receive the [Scaled Iron Hammer]. She almost lost her grip and was pulled down. It was only after Zhang Chengdao equipped the [Scaled Iron Hammer] to the equipment slot in Murong Ruyan's character card that she suddenly felt much more relaxed. In fact, she felt as if she and the giant hammer were somehow "connected"!
As expected of my master, he was able to forge such a magical artifact that could recognize its master on its own!
Murong Ruyan was amazed.

This giant hammer is far superior to Chang Ping'an's low-grade gray-quality "iron sword"—you can tell just by looking at it!

The giant hammer is adorned with exquisite patterns and intricate gilded designs. The handle is made of an unknown red material, neither quite gold nor quite jade. The base of the handle and the very top of the hammer are crafted from pure gold; unless it is "bound to its master," most people would find it impossible to lift!

"Thank you Master!"

Murong Ruyan held the hammer with great affection, even swinging it a few times, feeling a strong sense of security.

Seeing that Emperor Ruyan had been led astray by him, Zhang Chengdao decided to go all out and blurted out, "Well, once you've established your foundation and can control objects, you'll be able to control hammers and thunder, and your destructive power will be even greater!"

Murong Ruyan hurriedly picked up the hammer, clasped her hands earnestly, and said, "I will follow Master's teachings!" Zhang Chengdao turned his head away somewhat guiltily, then waved his hand and took his leave, saying, "Alright, then you continue your cultivation. I'll go take a stroll elsewhere!"

Murong Ruyan remained extremely respectful: "Respectfully seeing off Master!"

After leaving the mulberry grove, Zhang Chengdao returned to his thatched cottage.

Upon entering the courtyard, he saw his third apprentice, Ye Shuyun, waiting there, playing chess with Ye Chengyu.

Upon seeing (or hearing) Zhang Chengdao return, the two quickly stood up and greeted him one after the other.

"I have met Immortal Zhang."

"I met the master."

Zhang Chengdao was somewhat puzzled, but he nodded calmly and said, "Yes, what is it?"

Since Ye Shuyun joined the sect, he has been the most worry-free disciple.

In terms of cultivation, he received guidance from Chang Ping'an, who had a gentle personality and often helped Xu Ying with affairs in his spare time. For example, he instructed Xu Ying to reply to the increasing number of sects and forces that came to pay their respects or try to get close to him.

Because they spent so much time together, the two even became relatives.

Xu Ying's mother also came from the Ye family and was Ye Shuyun's cousin. Logically speaking, the two were cousins, and Ye Shuyun should call Xu Ying his cousin.

However, since they were in the same sect, Ye Shuyun and Xu Ying still used the sect's terms of address, while Ye Chengyu followed Xu Ying around all day calling him "cousin" endlessly.

After exchanging greetings, Ye Chengyu plopped back down on the wooden stool, while Ye Shuyun slowly said, "Master, I have discussed this with Steward Xu. We see that the sect is thriving recently, so we should add some buildings, build a plaza and a main hall. What do you think?"

"Well, you have a point."

That makes sense!
Zhang Chengdao was filled with helplessness.

He didn't fix these things because the buildings in the game don't exist!

Especially the "square" thing, there is no way to "harden" the road surface in the game, otherwise he would not have asked people to use the cumbersome method of burning and compacting the dirt road up the mountain!

but……

Since Ye Shuyun brought this up, and he comes from a prestigious family known as "the richest family in Jiangnan," he should be more than capable of helping to build a sect building, both in terms of aesthetics and ability.

Thinking of this, Zhang Chengli said confidently, "If you are interested, I will entrust this matter to you. As for how much money is needed, discuss it with Manager Xu, and I will give you the money later."

To everyone's surprise, Ye Shuyun said, "Master, there is no need to worry. The Ye family has skilled craftsmen in workshops that we can hire to work. I also have a lot of private property, which should be offered to the sect. In that case, Master will not need to spend any money."

(End of this chapter)