Cultivation begins with alchemy and collecting runes.

Today, Li Xiuyuan did not stay in the courtyard, but went to the market to hand in his mission.

Each servant had a fixed quota of tasks each month: such as guarding the house, cultivating spiritual fields, or gathering herbs in the mountains.

The disciples within the sect were racing against time to cultivate their spiritual practice and comprehend the Dao, so they had no time for such trivial matters.

The sect's rules still apply; these chores won't disappear, they'll just be transferred.

Over time, unspoken rules emerged.

This involved subcontracting these tasks to menial laborers, who would then perform them on their behalf.

After all, in their eyes, menial laborers were just hopeless "house slaves" who had no hope of ascending to immortality, and it was in line with their status to entrust them with such time-consuming and laborious work.

Li Xiuyuan's fate was good; upon entering the sect, he was found to have a fire spirit root and was admitted to the Pill Pavilion.

All you need to do each month is pay for a medicine called "Yangqi San".

"Yangqi San" is one of the most common ingredients in the low-grade pill Yangqi Dan.

The elixir is mild in nature and is most suitable for cultivators practicing the Five Elements Techniques. It is specially designed for Qi Refining Disciples to improve their cultivation.

In his previous life, he intended to refine a fasting elixir to become a high-ranking official and escape his status as a menial servant.

Therefore, the "Qi-Nourishing Powder" was not prepared this month.

Fortunately, this item is extremely simple to make, and even apprentices who have not yet reached the required level can make it skillfully.

After finishing his cultivation last night, he spent most of the next half hour refining his monthly quota of thirty catties.

As Li Xiuyuan stepped out of the courtyard, he saw whispers coming from the cultivators on the bluestone road not far away.

"That old devil Zhou's exploitation of us menial laborers is getting heavier and heavier; we hardly have time to cultivate anymore!"

"We are just menial laborers, with no background and no talent! Life is like being boiled in oil on a raging fire, it's unbearable!"

"Sigh, without doing sect missions, we won't get spirit stones. How can we cultivate without spirit stones? How can we pay our corvée taxes without spirit stones?"

"I heard that yesterday another group of cultivators from West Street failed to pay their spirit stones on time and were forcibly conscripted and sent to the front lines in the wilderness."

"The barbarians' fighting is a dead end. I must work hard to accumulate spirit stones and never follow in their footsteps."

"Who told you and me to lack any special skills, teachers, or clan protection? Cultivating immortality isn't just about fighting and killing!"

Li Xiuyuan looked closely and saw two young cultivators dressed in gray-white Taoist robes approaching him, muttering to themselves and showing their dissatisfaction.

Li Xiuyuan, being meticulous, noticed that their legs and feet were covered in fresh mud, and their clothes smelled of grass, indicating that they had clearly returned from the mountains.

One of the round-faced cultivators, upon seeing Li Xiuyuan, said calmly, "Greetings, fellow Daoist. Are you here to complete your mission?"

He quickly clasped his hands in greeting, and said with a smile, "Greetings, fellow Daoists. I was just about to head to the Mission Hall to submit my monthly duties. Have you two returned from the mountains?"

His voice was calm, with just the right amount of humble smile.

Both were menial laborers, and their status was the same as Li Xiuyuan's; they were both unfortunate people with low social standing.

Therefore, Li Xiuyuan did not presume to be arrogant and addressed the two as fellow Daoists.

"Indeed. Fellow Daoist Li is truly fortunate to possess knowledge of pharmacology and have entered the Pill Hall. Unlike us, who have nothing of value and rely on fighting and risking our lives against demonic beasts to earn contributions!"

The round-faced cultivator sighed, shook off the wolf fur from the hem of his robe, and complained, "These past few days, for some reason, the demonic beasts on the outskirts have been behaving strangely!"

"Let's go, we need to get to work first. Good luck!"

The square-faced cultivator seemed to remember something, and beckoned to the round-faced cultivator beside him. The two then took their leave.

Li Xiuyuan sighed, "Since I'm here, I might as well make the best of it. I hope nothing unexpected happens. The current stable environment is very beneficial to me." He looked up at the sky and quickened his pace.

His cultivation level had not yet reached the late stage of Qi Refining, so he could not control magical artifacts to fly briefly, let alone fly through the air like a Foundation Establishment cultivator.

One hour later.

He arrived at the familiar gate of Shanyangfang Market, the inner city of Shanyangfang Market.

Shanyang Market is the location of the Blazing Fire Sect, and its inner city occupies a second-tier spiritual vein.

Two-thirds of the inner city, a region brimming with spiritual energy and abundant resources, has been occupied by the relatives, bloodlines, and mortal descendants of the disciples and elders of the upper sect.

After all, the Blazing Fire Sect reigns supreme over a radius of thousands of miles!

The remaining third of the land, teeming with spiritual energy, was monopolized by local powerful immortal clans and foreign merchant guilds.

The outer city where Li Xiuyuan was located was built on scattered first-tier spiritual veins.

The distinction between inner and outer city walls was thus established.

Li Xiuyuan arrived at the inner city entrance and was stopped by the joint law enforcement team.

He was only allowed to enter after paying a spirit crystal and receiving an identity token.

As soon as he stepped into the inner city, Li Xiuyuan couldn't help but take a deep breath.

Indeed, the inner city lord is the real lord!

"The air in the inner city is sweeter and more palatable. No wonder it's a spiritual land nourished day and night by a second-tier spiritual vein. No wonder cultivators with spirit stones move into the inner city."

"When I have money, I'll move to the inner city. Even without taking any pills, just meditating and refining spiritual energy every day will allow my cultivation to far surpass what it was before!"

Li Xiuyuan secretly cheered himself on, looking at the bustling scene on the street and sighing, "What a lively scene..."

The inner city is structured like the Chinese character "田" (field), with two main roads dividing the market into four sections.

At this prime intersection, where every inch of land is precious, five buildings stand tall in the center, their entrances bustling with traffic.

One of the pavilions, with its ancient charm and carved beams and painted rafters, was Li Xiuyuan's destination.

Mission Hall.

The Mission Hall is specifically for issuing missions, commissions, and distributing spirit stones as stipends to outer disciples.

The Enforcement Hall, Forging Hall, Alchemy Hall, and Library all have offices here to manage daily affairs.

Now it has become a place where the servants come and go daily.

This place is always bustling with people, often crowding the mission hall to the point of being impassable, just like his commuting on subway line 9 in his previous life—people packed together, backside to backside.

The same applies today.

Outside the mission hall, two standard squads of twenty men patrolled closely. All of them were at the late stage of Qi Refining, carrying long swords and exuding a menacing aura. They were clearly ruthless characters who had been fighting outside for many years.

Li Xiuyuan glanced at it briefly before quickly averting his gaze.

Cultivators possess supernatural powers and keen spiritual perception, and they are most wary of others wantonly spying on them.

He was merely a menial servant in the early stages of Qi Refining, not skilled in killing, and naturally wouldn't cause trouble.

He had been to the mission hall many times before, so he easily found his way to a corner, walked through a long corridor, and found the fat cultivator wearing a red and blue Taoist robe on a high platform.

This person is named Du Wuxin, an outer disciple in the late stage of Qi Refining. He has been stationed in the Mission Hall for many years and is quite old.

Du Wuxin was kind and loving, and was known as a "good guy" in the outer sect. He always took care of lower-ranking disciples and even menial servants.

His reputation was completely different from that of Zhou Li, who was also a resident disciple.

Therefore, Li Xiuyuan repeatedly sought his help, choosing to avoid the bad luck of Zhou Li, that "skin-peeling devil".

"Hmm, not bad. To be able to successfully prepare the powder for the Bigu Pill in just six months, although your talent is average, you are quite diligent. You pass. You'll need to work harder next month!"

"The medicinal properties of the Crimson Flame Grass cannot be cultivated together with water-based spiritual creatures. You made this mistake, which is why you failed. Considering this is your first time, your salary for this month will not be deducted."

"You are all good kids. Keep up the good work, and don't hesitate to ask me if you don't understand something!"

……

Du Wuxin kindly instructed the many young cultivators in front of him, his tone gentle, like a kind old grandfather caring for his grandchildren.

Dozens of servants stood in line before Li Xiuyuan, remaining silent.

After half an incense stick's time, it was finally Li Xiuyuan's turn to step forward and report.

"Li Xiuyuan?"

Du Wuxin still wore that same cheerful smile that he showed to everyone.

"Disciple greets Senior Brother Du!" Li Xiuyuan bowed respectfully.

Those who are highly skilled are given priority, regardless of age. Unless there is a special seniority, those with strong cultivation are all addressed as senior brother, senior uncle, or senior aunt.

Li Xiuyuan took out three fist-sized white jade porcelain jars from his pocket and placed them respectfully on the stone table.

"These are the medicinal powders refined this month. Please take a look, Senior Brother."

Du Wuxin smiled and nodded, then opened the three jars to inspect them.

Soon, a hint of joy appeared on the slightly plump cultivator's face: "Not bad, your alchemy skills have really improved a lot over the years. Your menial servant status has been a real burden."

The medicinal powder refined by Li Xiuyuan has a mild effect and is considered one of the best even in the servants' quarters.

Having been stationed here for many years, Du Wuxin naturally understood the intricacies of the situation.

He couldn't help but feel a bit of admiration, but then he remembered that Li Xiuyuan had been sold into the household as a servant by some twist of fate.

And because of his advanced age, he missed the deadline, which made him feel a little regretful.

Du Wuxin said gently, "Although your cultivation has stagnated at the second level of Qi Refining for a long time, do not be discouraged. Strive to cultivate diligently; there is still hope for you to attain the Dao!"

He paused for a moment, a hint of reminiscence in his eyes, and said, "If you ever encounter any difficulties in your cultivation in the future, feel free to ask your senior brother."

Then Du Wuxin handed over a small black cloth bag: "Three spirit stones, count them yourself."

A warm feeling welled up in Li Xiuyuan's heart, and he cupped his hands in thanks, saying, "Thank you for your generous gift, Senior Brother!"

He understood that the two extra spirit stones were a favor from Du Wuxin.

Over the years, he had declined countless times. Five years ago, one of his refusals angered Du Wuxin, and it took a lot of persuasion to calm him down.

Reluctantly, he accepted the gift and silently remembered this kindness, intending to repay it in the future!

"Alright, there have been some unfamiliar faces in the market lately, they don't seem to be from Chu. Be careful."

Du Wuxin waved his hand and offered a suggestion, "If there's nothing urgent, you should go back to your cultivation."

Li Xiuyuan bowed and turned to leave the mission hall.

He followed the main road and left the inner city.

Half an incense stick later, he went straight to the back gate of an inconspicuous courtyard.

After knocking on the door a few times, a servant peeked out.

Upon seeing that the visitor was Li Xiuyuan, they asked him to wait a moment and quickly went to call the shopkeeper.

A moment of effort.

A middle-aged cultivator dressed in a long robe embroidered with purple and gold stepped out from inside.

The shopkeeper was a mid-stage Qi Refining cultivator. Upon seeing Li Xiuyuan, a low-level cultivator, he did not show any disrespect and greeted him with a perfectly timed fake smile.

"Are you selling medicinal powder? Come in, please come in."

Enter the backyard.

Li Xiuyuan took out a jar of medicinal powder from the bundle behind him, returned the greeting and said, "This is Qi-Nourishing Powder, about five catties."

Thanks to his decent mid-grade fire spirit root, he was able to refine more medicinal powders each month.

Or ten taels, one jin, or one and a half jin.

The people from the Mission Hall were well aware of this, and they didn't care about the loss of a few spirit crystals.

Li Xiuyuan accumulated spirit crystals by selling medicinal powders.

The shopkeeper had the medicine powder weighed to check its quality.

"Five catties of Yangqi Powder."

"The market price is five spirit crystals. What do you think, fellow Daoist?"

"make a deal!"

Li Xiuyuan readily agreed; he occasionally came here to sell medicinal powders.

After all, selling stolen goods separately is the best approach.

You can also set up a stall in the market, and the prices are higher, but you have to pay a stall fee, so in the end, the difference is negligible.

It's not as stable as that.

"If you have any more medicinal powders in the future, you can sell them to me. I'll take as many as you need."

The shopkeeper took out five spirit crystals and handed them to Li Xiuyuan.

"Does your store sell any exercises that enhance blood circulation and strengthen muscles and tendons?"