Cultivation begins with harvest.

"You should be clear about the value of the secret technique you contributed; the two are worlds apart." After reading the Alchemy Technique, the Taoist priest in the Scripture Pavilion immediately put down the scroll in his hand and looked at Chen Guang seriously.

"Disciple understands." Chen Guang reached into his robes, preparing to hand over the list of spiritual items he had prepared.

The Taoist waved his hand, stopping Chen Guang's actions: "The Alchemy Technique is not without similar secret methods in our sect, but only the effects are similar. In principle, they are quite different. This thing is of great value, mainly because Yan Tang has a clue how to transform it into an alchemist's skill, which may affect the quality of the pills refined by the entire Yan Tang. Therefore, a large number of similar secret methods are needed as references. The Alchemy Technique has come at a very opportune time. With your contribution, the probability of comprehending the technique is greater, but whether there will be any results is still another matter."

"So you now have two choices. One is to completely dedicate it to the sect and never teach it to others again. If the alchemy technique is created, you will be given a learning quota. If there is no alchemy inheritance, the sect will make up for it for you. This quota can be transferred and inherited. At the same time, you will also be given some merit records, recorded as minor merit. Regardless of whether the Flame Hall is established or not, you will have the opportunity to learn minor merit and alchemy inheritance."

"Or you can keep it yourself, but you must promise not to teach it to others casually. If the sect creates such alchemy techniques, and the alchemy technique, as one of the sources, spreads too widely, it may become a source of leakage. If you choose this option, you will naturally not be able to learn any possible alchemy techniques, but you will still have minor merits recorded, just not as many as the former. Moreover, the specific number of minor merits rewarded will vary depending on whether the Flame Hall creates the secret method or not. However, we can reward you with some resources that you need on this basis. You can consider it yourself."

Chen Guang looked surprised.

For sect disciples, the highest form of sect reward is merit, which is a standard that quantifies a disciple's contribution to the sect. Although it lacks some human touch, it more fairly reflects the contributions made by the disciples.

Under normal circumstances, even if one cultivates to the Qi Refining Perfection stage and works diligently, one will not gain any merit. How vast and profound is the Qingheng Sect?

To what extent must one contribute to the sect?

Chen Guang had not expected that the Alchemy Technique could reward him with a minor merit. Merits are divided into major and minor merits, and even a minor merit was something that Chen Guang considered himself to be one of the few, or even the only, outer disciples who possessed a minor merit.

Xiao Gong has another special feature: it can be transferred and inherited.

The specific regulations are quite complex. They were established for disciples of the sect who want to leave Qingheng Sect to start their own families, or for close relatives who are still young and middle-aged and have a need for transfer. In order to prevent abuse, the conditions for transfer and inheritance are very strict.

Because minor cultivation skills can be truly exchanged for high-level cultivation resources in the Qingheng Sect, it requires at least Qi Refining Perfection to exchange minor cultivation skills for cultivation resources; otherwise, it's just a number. If someone already has a family, the sect will convert it into some support and assistance for the family if the conditions are met.

The vassal clans of the East use this method to exchange for spirit stones.

The families in Zilong Ridge weren't chosen randomly; their ancestors all had performed minor merits in the Qingheng Sect, which is why they were treated differently. Having minor merits naturally makes the sect more friendly, and even those with slightly worse aptitudes can enter the Qingheng Sect, something ordinary outer disciples can only envy.

However, to apply it to an individual, perfecting one's Qi cultivation is a necessary prerequisite.

The reasoning behind this is perfectly clear to ordinary disciples. Those who can obtain minor merits from the sect are undoubtedly outstanding individuals; the resources worth exchanging minor merits for are undoubtedly rare among Qi Refining cultivators. If such restrictions were not in place, and such a cultivator were to encounter any accident, it would result in the loss of both the person and the resources. The Qingheng Sect would feel sorry for the loss of either a disciple or the resources at this level.

Such rules actually reflect the sect's generosity and consideration for its disciples. Lowering one's cultivation level would be a waste; it's better to keep it for later use. When there's no longer a need for transfer or inheritance, it can be exchanged for longevity treasures.

"The first option... can't we reward some of the minor contributions with resources?" Chen Guang asked.

"At the very least, it's the inheritance of a master alchemist, plus some minor merit, and possibly even a master alchemist's skill. You certainly contributed the art of alchemy, but these rewards are already quite generous," the Taoist said matter-of-factly, then looked at Chen Guang's expression. "You've prepared a list of spiritual items?"

"Yes." Chen Guang was still struggling with his conscience. The first option was undoubtedly suitable for a cultivator like himself who did not intend to develop any power. But why was he not given any reward of resources? Should he suffer losses and choose the second option?

The Taoist took the list and looked at it: "You're planning to simulate the environment of the Pure Yang Land? Then it's best not to use 'Luo Huo Stone,' but instead use 'Huo He' straw. Even better would be 'Yan Xing Bamboo,' but it's not as easy to collect as Huo He. Since you're in the Earth Hall, you should know that spirit farmers cultivate Huo He every year. The difference in effect between the two isn't significant, but the overall cost can be controlled. You should also add some 'Huo Yun Duan Xi.' This spiritual flower can gather and fix fire-attribute spiritual energy within a certain range, and it can also temper the excessive heat of the Pure Yang Land..."

Chen Guang listened intently,

With the guidance of the Taoist, the plan I designed was quickly improved and perfected. Some problems were not thought of in such depth, and some problems were not even thought of at all. Both were due to my lack of vision.

Chen Guang didn't need to do much calculation to know that the Taoist's improved plan was definitely better than his own.

Seeing that Chen Guang seemed to be deep in thought and had truly taken it to heart, the Taoist priest sighed and said, "However, with your Qi Refining level, the simulated Pure Yang Land will only be about 30-40% effective. To allow specific spiritual plants to grow using this simplified postnatal Pure Yang Land, you will need some other methods. If you don't mind my rambling, I can help you revise it further."

Subconsciously, Chen Guang couldn't bring himself to say anything to refuse.

"Thank you for your guidance, Daoist. I will choose the second option," Chen Guang said hastily.

The Taoist shook his head: "The extra cultivation resources I give you are also subject to a fixed limit. It's not something you can just ask for. The simulated Pure Yang Land alone isn't enough. Given your current status, you can't use the Lesser Skill yet, but I can lend it to you first."

"Huh?" Chen Guang was greatly surprised.

"So, even the Qingheng Sect has developed this kind of lending business?"

The Taoist glanced at Chen Guang, as if he knew what he was thinking: "The list you brought out last time, plus this one, is the level of resource requirements that only cultivators who can achieve results in the five-year minor competition have. You are only at the fourth level of Qi Refining. I know better than anyone whether you are asking for resources indiscriminately. You are a promising talent, and I am naturally willing to help you."

"However, I have two requests that you must grant."

The unexpected turn of events led Chen Guang to decide to listen to what the Taoist had to say first.

"First, I want you to use four-fifths of these resources, along with one-fifth, to settle today's debt with superior quality spiritual plants or century-old spiritual medicines within seven years."

"Second, you must make a vow that if anything happens to you, you will compensate me for this part of the loan by transferring your small merit. If you think I am doing this for your small merit, that's fine with me."

The Taoist stared at Chen Guang: "I don't want my promising disciple to die in the endless wilderness or somewhere else, leaving me with nothing. Of course, if you think I'm being nosy, that's fine too."

Chen Guang instantly understood that the Taoist in the Sutra Pavilion did indeed appreciate him, but that was all. If it weren't for his minor merits as a safety net, the Taoist wouldn't have been willing to help him resolve his current predicament. The loan and the two requests were simply because he didn't want to see Chen Guang make a difficult choice. If the Taoist were to give it to him for free, then Chen Guang would naturally have to go back to where he came from.

It was merely a favor done by the other party.

"Since you trust me, senior, I am willing," Chen Guang said earnestly.