A sage master under the pine tree imparted the Dao and taught longevity.

As the sun passed noon, footsteps approached from afar. Xiao Jin pushed open the palace door and bowed as he entered.

Chen Chuan, who was meditating with his eyes closed, opened them and looked down at Xiao Jin.

Behind Xiao Jin was a boy, about eleven or twelve years old, with a thin build.

When the boy saw Chen Chuan looking at him, he hurriedly lowered his head and held his hands awkwardly at his sides.

"Master."

Xiao Jin stepped forward, cupped his hands, and said, "This disciple went down the mountain today and used the Qi-guiding and root-probing method. Of the 312 children, only this person responded. This person's surname is Wang, his given name is Laifu, he is twelve years old, his ancestral home is Jiuxi Town, and both his parents are still alive. However, his aptitude is slightly lacking... He has four spiritual roots, but his talent is mediocre. I would like to ask Master to make a decision."

Four spiritual roots.

Chen Chuan nodded slightly, his gaze slowly sweeping over the boy, before quietly releasing a wisp of divine sense, which gently enveloped him like a thin mist.

Wherever divine sense reached, four-colored light faintly appeared on the boy's body, representing the four spiritual roots of metal, wood, water, and earth. Upon closer inspection, a common pitchfork used by farmers slowly emerged in divine sense.

He waited quietly in his heart for a moment, but the "Preaching Record" in his mind did not move and did not connect with this child.

Chen Chuan sighed softly and withdrew his divine sense.

With four spiritual roots and its natal element being an ordinary pitchfork, there are countless pitchforks like this in the world. Where can one find one like this?

This child is not qualified to join the inner circle.

He hesitated for a moment before speaking, his voice calm: "Laifu, raise your head."

Upon hearing the sound, the boy slowly raised his head, staring straight at Chen Chuan with a mixture of fear and anticipation.

Chen Chuan said, "You were born with spiritual roots, which is your good fortune and destiny. However, not everyone can reach the pinnacle of cultivation."

He paused for a moment: "I will accept you as an outer disciple. The sect on the mountain is not yet completed, so you will stay in the valley with your parents for the time being and continue your daily life as usual. Once the mountain gate is completed, you will move into the sect and follow your senior brother Xiao to practice the breathing techniques."

Lai Fu was stunned for a moment, then reacted, and knelt down with a thud, his forehead hitting the bluestone floor heavily. He choked out, "Thank you for accepting me as your disciple, Sect Leader! I will... I will..."

He was still young and overwhelmed with emotion, so he was speechless and could only kowtow repeatedly.

Xiao Jin said softly from the side, "Go, and tell your parents what happened today."

Lai Fu wiped his eyes, bowed deeply again, then stood up and staggered out of the hall.

Chen Chuan watched the slender figure disappear at the threshold, a slight stirring in his heart.

Although the four spiritual roots are not considered top-tier qualities, diligence can make up for shortcomings, and given time, they may well achieve great things.

Songjian Sect has just been established, and the outer sect also needs someone to manage its affairs. This boy may be of use in the future.

……

No sooner had Lai Fu left than Chen Chuan had someone summon the stone ox to the temple.

The stone ox entered the hall, bowed respectfully, and stood to one side with its hands at its sides, looking very reverent.

Chen Chuan gestured for him to sit down and went straight to the point: "The foundation of Songjian Sect is half on the mountain and half in the ground. The sect on the mountain has its own craftsmen to manage it, but now I want to explain to you in detail the rules for the ground."

The stone ox stood attentively, listening intently.

"Currently, there are about fifty acres of spiritual fields in the valley," Chen Chuan said. "However, as the number of disciples in the sect increases in the future, the consumption of spiritual food will only increase. You must cultivate another three hundred acres of spiritual fields before the beginning of spring, so that the total number is no less than three hundred and fifty acres."

Shi Niu silently calculated in his mind, his expression slightly solemn, but he did not refuse, and simply replied in a deep voice, "Shi Niu has remembered."

"After the spiritual fields are cultivated, the annual tribute must also be set at a fixed amount." Chen Chuan continued, "From now on, every year, the amount of spiritual rice must not be less than one thousand shi, and the total amount of spiritual vegetables, spiritual herbs and other spiritual plants must not be less than one hundred and fifty shi. If there is a shortfall in a lean year, it must be reported in advance, and this Dao will handle it at its discretion."

Shi Niu rose and solemnly kowtowed: "I dare not disobey the rules set by the sect leader."

Chen Chuan waved his hand, signaling him to sit down again. He then took out two scrolls of scriptures from his sleeve, which were covered with densely written incantations and characters in cinnabar, and gently pushed them in front of the stone ox.

"These two incantations, one called 'Rainmaking Technique' and the other 'Fertile Soil Technique,' are the incantations and hand seal diagrams that I personally transcribed," he said. "In the past, I had to personally irrigate and fertilize the spiritual fields, which was ultimately a burden. Memorize these two incantations and practice them diligently. Once you can use them freely, the affairs of the spiritual fields will be entirely entrusted to you."

Shi Niu accepted the gift with both hands, immediately becoming solemn and prostrating himself deeply on the ground: "The Sect Leader's great kindness will be forever etched in my memory, and I will never forget it in this lifetime!"

Chen Chuan said calmly, "Doing your job well is the best way to repay you. Go now."

……

Silence returned to the hall. Chen Chuan was about to pick up the jade slip containing the cultivation technique from the table to continue studying it when he suddenly heard hurried footsteps outside the courtyard. Immediately afterward, Shu'er's clear voice came from behind the door: "Master! Master!"

"Come in."

Shu'er pushed open the door and entered, her face filled with curiosity and excitement: "Master, there is an immortal waiting outside the temple. He said he came to pay a special visit! I noticed that he has an extraordinary bearing, so I came to report to you, Master."

Chen Chuan was slightly surprised. He put down the jade slip, stood up, straightened his clothes, and stepped out of the main hall.

Passing through the courtyard and arriving outside the temple gate, one sees a man standing with his hands behind his back under a pine tree.

The man was about forty years old, dressed in a blue robe with the sash fluttering in the wind. He had a thin face and a refined and gentle air about him. He held a folding fan in his hand and waved it lightly, with a calm demeanor, showing a scholarly air about him.

Upon seeing Chen Chuan emerge, he immediately smiled and cupped his hands in a polite gesture.

"Are you the leader of Songjian Sect?" The man's voice was clear and melodious. "I am Lu Huaiyuan, the hall master of Bixia Valley. I am under the jurisdiction of Qingyuan Sect, just like the leader. Our two sects are neighbors. I hope the leader will forgive my presumptuous visit today."

Chen Chuan glanced at the man and saw that his spiritual energy was restrained, and his cultivation level was below the Foundation Establishment stage, making it difficult to judge his strength at the moment. However, seeing that the man's expression was calm and there was no sense of oppression, Chen Chuan felt a little relieved. He immediately cupped his hands in return and said in a warm voice, "Hall Master Lu, it is an honor to have you here. The temple is simple, please come in for a chat."

Lu Huaiyuan smiled, fanning himself, "I'd rather obey."

The two entered the hall side by side and took their seats as host and guest. Shu'er, being quick-witted, had already brewed a pot of pine needle tea.

Amidst the fragrant tea, the two exchanged pleasantries, discussing the newly established Songjian Gate and the scenery of Dahuang Mountain, creating a harmonious atmosphere.

A moment later, Lu Huaiyuan put down his teacup, took out a scroll from his wide sleeve, presented it to Chen Chuan with both hands, and smiled, "Songjian Sect is newly established, and Sect Leader Chen is new to the affairs of the immortal sects in Qian Kingdom. He must not be familiar with the various forces. I have prepared a small gift, which is a map of the distribution of the various immortal sects in Qian Kingdom. Perhaps it will come in handy."

Chen Chuan took it, slowly unfolded it, and his gaze immediately froze.

The map was drawn in meticulous detail, showing the mountains and rivers in great detail. The seven spheres of influence in the Qian Kingdom were marked with different colors.

The caption on the map is clear: There were originally six immortal sects in the southern part of Qian Kingdom. Songjian Sect was newly established and is the seventh sect. It is located at the southernmost end and is adjacent to the other three immortal sects.

Chen Chuan stared intently and saw the signs of the three immortal sects arranged around Songjian Gate.

The first is Bixia Valley, the second is Jindaowu, and the third is Xuanyin Cave.

Chen Chuan rolled up the map again and looked up at Lu Huaiyuan.

Before Chen Chuan could speak, Lu Huaiyuan lowered his voice and slowly said, "My Bixia Valley and Jin Dao Wu are both neighboring places we can be friends with. Although the lord of Jin Dao Wu has a fiery temper, he has a sharp tongue but a soft heart. As long as you treat him with sincerity, he will definitely not cause trouble without reason. Only the Xuan Yin Cave..."

He shook his head slightly: "Sect Leader Chen must be more vigilant. This sect has long coveted the Southern Territory. Songjian Sect is newly established and its foundation is still shallow. I'm afraid it has already fallen into their sights. If Xuanyin Cave sends someone to visit us one day, no matter how earnest their words are, do not believe them easily."

Chen Chuan's gaze was calm as he bowed respectfully, saying, "I am deeply grateful that Hall Master Lu was willing to tell me the truth."

Lu Huaiyuan waved his hand, stood up and said, "It is only right for neighbors to watch out for each other. I am just doing my part today. If you ever need Bixia Valley's help in the future, please feel free to ask, Sect Leader Chen."

Chen Chuan personally escorted Lu Huaiyuan to the gate of the temple, watching the figure in green robes ride the wind and disappear into the vast mountain scenery before turning back into the hall.

Sitting alone at his desk, he unrolled the map again, his finger lightly touching the location of the Xuan Yin Cave, lingering there for a long time.

Although Songjian Sect bears the name of Qingyuan Sect, Qingyuan Sect is thousands of miles away and cannot reach them.

If Xuan Yin Cave truly harbors ambitions of encroachment and sends people to provoke them, with his current Qi Refining cultivation level, along with his disciples Xiao Jin and Shen Mo, who are still in the enlightenment stage, they would definitely not be able to withstand it.

He slowly rolled up the map, placed it on the table, pondered for a moment, and a resolute look gradually appeared between his brows.

Relying on mountains or rivers is never as good as relying on yourself.

He immediately summoned someone and said, "Go and fetch the stone ox."

A moment later, the stone ox arrived in the hall again, panting, its face full of doubt.

Chen Chuan said, "Go down the mountain immediately and invite all the village chiefs of the five towns to Tingsong Temple. Tell them that I have important matters to discuss with them, and none of them should be absent."

Shi Niu dared not ask any further questions, accepted the order, turned around, and hurried away.

Chen Chuan walked out of the main hall with his hands behind his back and stood in the courtyard.

From the distant mountain peaks, the faint sound of chiseling could be heard as craftsmen continued to work during the last days of daylight.

He already had a plan in mind.

Although mortals cannot cultivate immortality, if they wield bows and crossbows, wear black armor, and train properly, they can become a useful force for guarding the mountain.

If Songjian Sect were to encounter external enemies in the future, and the disciples' cultivation level were insufficient to withstand them, they would use ordinary weapons as shields and then devise other strategies.

With the arrival of the five town chiefs, the matter of organizing and training the militia can now be put on the agenda.