Becoming a leader of the immortal path begins with sowing the seeds of inner demons.

Snapped!

Lu Ming put down his chopsticks and suddenly felt that mediating the conflict wasn't so bad after all.

Chen Zheng sighed and said slowly, "Experience teaches people; you'll learn it after just one time."

From then on, I learned to protect myself first when encountering an enemy.

Junior brother, please remember this: the cultivation world is full of tricks, and it's impossible to guard against them all.

Be extra vigilant when you go out for training in the future.

Lu Ming nodded vigorously and carefully wrote the matter down in the "Guide." Looking at the table full of fragrant food, he lost his appetite and could only change his mind, continuing, "Senior brother, you said we need to catch evil cultivators... do we still need to catch evil cultivators?"

This was a question that Lu Ming had been pondering for a long time.

Given the Jade Flower Sect's uncompromising and righteous nature, it's incomprehensible that they didn't use magic to clear the way when they encountered an evil cultivator, but instead went to great lengths to capture him.

"There are many kinds of heretical cultivators." Chen Zheng seemed to have guessed Lu Ming's thoughts and explained, "The so-called heretical ones are those that deviate from the righteous path."

But the scale of the tasks they do differs.

Stealing a fellow disciple's Foundation Establishment Pill is evil, as is slaughtering the people of a city; it cannot be summed up in a single sentence.

Our Jing'an Division is mainly responsible for the former.

If we so readily convict people of capital crimes and execute them without warning, what difference is there between the Jade Flower Sect and the sects of Liezhou?

Lu Ming suddenly realized, and couldn't help but ask, "Then, does our Jade Flower Sect... also need to make them hire a lawyer?"

Chen Zheng was taken aback, then laughed so hard his beard trembled violently. "Junior brother, we are cultivators."

There are a million ways to find out why someone does something and how they do it.

Arguing in government offices is something only ordinary people do.

We only talk about evidence.

If they do it, they'll be arrested; if they don't, they'll be ignored.

If you've done something wrong and still want to escape punishment by talking nonsense, first ask the Mirror of Understanding if it will allow it.

Even if all else fails, there's still the eldest brother and the sect leader.

If they can deceive a Nascent Soul cultivator... ordinary evil cultivators don't have that ability.

Lu Ming understood, picked up a piece of meat, put it in his mouth, and fell into thought.

This is good news; he can confirm that Feng Zai has nothing to do with the evil cultivators.

Judging from the strange, demonic things emanating from him, he was also a victim.

As long as the investigation is thorough, Feng Zai will not be implicated.

And then there's Da Jin... we need to think of a way to get him out of the Zhou family as soon as possible.

He wasn't worried that Da Jin would go astray, but rather that if Da Jin were tricked by Xiao Yuqian and attacked the Yu Hua Sect cultivators who came to arrest him, it would be very troublesome to deal with.

Based on his understanding of Da Jin, he was certain Da Jin was capable of such a thing...

Thinking of this, Lu Ming asked, "Senior brother, when are we going to the Imperial Flower Sect?"

"No rush, you can get ready first."

"Not in a hurry?" Lu Ming was a little confused.

During the previous meeting, the faces of the group of Golden Core and Nascent Soul cultivators were all solemn, as if the sect was facing a life-or-death crisis.

Now you're telling me to take it slow?

"That's how it is during meetings." Chen Zheng smiled and waved his hand after hearing Lu Ming's doubts. "For truly important matters, not so many people would come, and it wouldn't be our Jing'an Division's turn. The Du'e Division would take over."

You don't need to worry too much. As your senior brother said, this is just to let you get familiar with the process and gain experience.

First, think about who you want to go with.

The smile in Chen Zheng's eyes faded, and his tone became very serious: "Below the Golden Core stage, form groups of three; above the Golden Core stage, form groups of two."

This is the ironclad rule of Zhilufeng, designed to ensure that everyone can look out for each other.

Besides that, you'd better go to the quest hall to exchange for some magic items and pills first, and be careful in everything you do.

"This is your first mission, let me explain the details to you..."

The next day.

Mission Hall.

Lu Ming stood in front of the exchange counter, carefully examining the densely packed exchange items on the sign.

Magical artifacts, talismans, elixirs, spiritual plants... and even spirit beasts for rent.

It covers almost everything a monk needs.

[Golden Elixir Talisman: Releases the power of the Golden Elixir until the enemy is destroyed. 1,000 merit points.]

Note: This product is valid within the Yujiang Prefecture area.

Lu Ming stroked the jade tablet with 11,000 merit points in his hand, his eyes lighting up.

This talisman is excellent; if used at a crucial moment, it can definitely turn the tide of battle.

That annotation gave him a strange sense of familiarity...

Lu Ming did not make a decision immediately, but looked behind him and soon discovered the Nascent Soul Talisman and even the Divine Transformation Talisman.

The effect is the same, but the applicable range is much larger. The only drawback is that the price has increased tenfold.

Lu Ming thought for a moment and figured he wouldn't be leaving Yujiang Prefecture anytime soon, so he didn't encounter any too troublesome opponents. He then exchanged two Golden Core Talismans and turned to look at the other items.

【Ink Scale Armor (Foundation Building Version): Refined by a master craftsman from the Weapon Peak, it can withstand a full-force attack from a Golden Core cultivator, worth 1,000 merit points.

Note: Do not wear this to the herb garden.

Lu Ming immediately guessed the material of the armor. After looking around, he found that other protective magic treasures were either too ineffective or required a cultivation level of at least Golden Core. After thinking for a moment, he still bought it.

Since we've already offended the snake, one more won't make a difference.

【Spirit-Locking Ring (Unlimited): An early magical artifact of a Nascent Soul elder, capable of imprisoning the magical power and soul of cultivators at the Golden Core stage and below. 2,000 merit points】

Note: The incantation is: "Take my sword!"

"..."

Lu Ming thought he knew enough about the Jade Flower Sect, but every time, the Jade Flower Sect would give him a new surprise... However, the magic weapon was a good one, so he bought it.

【Five Elements Yin Yang Reversal Array (Unlimited): Personally crafted by the sect leader who is proficient in array formations, it can reverse the Yin Yang and Five Elements within a radius of dozens of miles.

Five merit points.

Note: Use in open spaces whenever possible.

Note 2: If you encounter any problems after using it, please contact the sect leader directly for resolution.

"So cheap?" Lu Ming muttered, "I hope there's no hidden trap."

But considering Li Quan's miraculous skills, Lu Ming still decided to buy it.

They're all Pure Yang cultivators, how bad could their skills be?

Looking at the five array flags floating in the air above his palm, emitting a faint five-colored divine light, Lu Ming was very satisfied with their appearance. He then put them, along with the previous magic treasures, into the storage bag provided by the sect and continued to search for suitable magic treasures.

【Soul-Breaking Beads (Unlimited): Twelve in total, obtained by the eldest brother in a secret realm. They cause superficial damage to the soul and real damage to the physical body. Their power depends on the cultivator's cultivation level. 3,000 merit points.

Note: After each use, it needs to be tempered with mental distractions and distracting thoughts. Those with weak willpower should use with caution.

When Lu Ming first saw it, he was wondering why no one had traded such a powerful magic weapon, but he understood after seeing the annotation.

Practitioners should be free from distracting thoughts. If they forcibly relax their cultivation of mind and nature in order to nurture the Dharma treasure, they are putting the cart before the horse.

However... it actually benefited me!

Lu Ming took it without hesitation, glanced at the remaining merit points, and prepared to choose one last thing before leaving.

Senior Brother Chen Zheng is right. As a cultivator, one must be prepared for any eventuality.

Flying Bear: A half-step Golden Core spirit beast, capable of traveling a thousand miles a day. Monthly fee: 2,000 merit points.

Note: Once rented, items are non-refundable and non-exchangeable.

Looking at the heroic and imposing image of the flying bear on the sign, Lu Ming was somewhat tempted.

Compared to riding a sword through the clouds, having a mount seems cooler...

After an incense stick has burned.

Lu Ming handed over the receipt and led the white tiger, which was twice the height of a person and had wings on its ribs, away from the spirit beast garden.

Of the eleven thousand merit points, only one thousand remain.

Looking at the Flying Bear that perfectly matched the picture, Lu Ming's eyes were full of admiration for his own taste.

The merit points were well spent!

Overwhelmed with excitement, he immediately mounted the flying bear and said in a deep voice, "To Chunyang Peak!"

But Flying Bear didn't move. He lay down on the spot, turned his head lazily, opened his big mouth, and pointed with his paw.

Lu Ming was startled when he suddenly heard someone calling him.

Looking back, I saw that it was the disciples of the Spirit Beast Garden who had chased after me.

"Junior brother, you've forgotten about the Demon Essence Pill!"

He ran to Fei Xiong's side, took out a porcelain bottle, and poured it directly into Fei Xiong's mouth.

After pouring half a bottle, Fei Xiong finally shut his mouth in satisfaction, stood up with a swaying gait, and let out a majestic tiger roar.

"Junior brother, feed him three times a day, don't forget." The disciple of the Spirit Beast Garden, looking excited after making money, took out three identical porcelain bottles and handed them to Lu Ming.

"These bottles are complimentary. Just give half a bottle at a time."

Lu Ming sensed something was wrong and quickly asked, "How much is one bottle?"

"Not expensive, one bottle is a hundred. If you buy a lot, I can give you a 20% discount." The disciple of the Spirit Beast Garden revealed the smile of a shrewd businessman after closing a deal.

Lu Ming's eye twitched slightly.

One and a half bottles a day, that's forty-five bottles a month... Even with the discount, that's still 3,600 merit points?!

It's even more expensive than the magical treasures discovered by the eldest disciple!?

No wonder the person looked at me with such awe when I was exchanging the spirit beast certificate.

So it's all about respecting one's own wealth!

"Junior brother, how many are you planning to buy?" The disciple of the Spirit Beast Garden asked expectantly.

"Can...can I back out?"

"No returns or exchanges, junior brother, you should buy a few more, otherwise it will be a hassle if it breaks down halfway."

"..."