A Thousand Years of Immortal Dreams

Chapter 6: The jade pendant lacks luster; early insurance.

"Conserve your vital energy and keep your sharp edge hidden. Once unsheathed, it will be unheard of by heaven and earth."

……

After leaving Jiao San Niang's room.

Cao Wang muttered the incantation of the Zhenyang Locking Yuan Technique.

She didn't give him the cultivation technique on a jade slip, but taught him verbally, saying she was worried about being discovered by other members of the sect, and she only taught him the first level.

"This Zhenyang Locking Yuan Technique is an upgraded version of the Nayang Technique. Remember, you must not break your body, otherwise all your efforts will be in vain, and you may even suffer a qi deviation."

Jiao San Niang's voice echoed in my ears.

"Are you just trying to exploit me? If so, then kill me right now!"

When Cao Wang heard this, he immediately gave up.

Either way, I'm going to die, so why be so pathetic!

"Kid, you're like a leek, but do leeks die after being cut once?"

Jiao San Niang said frankly, slapping Cao Wang's cheek.

"Let me tell you, the Zhenyang Locking Yuan Technique can quickly improve your cultivation level. The accumulated spiritual yang energy will be transferred to me without causing any harm to your life. Of course, I can choose to directly drain you to death, but I can still distinguish between eating a full meal once and eating a good meal every time."

"Remember, you have no choice."

"Don't even think about escaping. Two hundred years into the Chaotic Era, everyone in the cultivation world is living in fear. There are no clear standards for orthodox or heretical cultivation. The outside world is even more dangerous than the Bliss Sect."

"Here, you can at least enjoy the sexual pleasures you've always dreamed of."

……

She's right.

But I also hope that what she said is true.

At least, with her protection, no one will be targeting him for the time being.

That night, Cao Wang thought he could use the jade pendant to inform Shen Jingqiu that he was alright.

However, the Pisces pendant remained completely still and dull.

The two did not connect through dreams until the next day.

Cao Wang slept soundly through the night without any dreams.

"But is this jade pendant broken?"

Cao Wang stroked the double fish pendant, completely baffled.

And at that very moment.

The sound of gathering could be heard outside.

"All disciples, pack your belongings. After a cup of tea, we will proceed to the outer sect for cultivation!"

We're finally moving to a new place, but whether it's a sacred place for cultivation or a den of dragons and tigers remains to be seen.

……

When everyone gathered together at the preliminary mountain peak, Cao Wang saw a somewhat sleazy, pot-bellied middle-aged fat man.

"Let me introduce myself. I am Zhao Dezhu, an outer sect elder, also known as 'Guardian'!"

"Next, I will lead you into the outer gate to familiarize yourselves with the rules."

"The outer sect is different from here. You must not offend any elders, deacons, or your senior brothers and sisters, or you will be in danger."

"Do you know why I'm called Zhao Dezhu? It's because I can protect you. If you go to the outer sect and accidentally offend the elders, deacons, or senior brothers and sisters, you can come to me to settle things. Also, if you have any needs, such as pills or talismans, you can come to me to buy them at low prices."

"In short, I'm your protector. If anything happens, you can come to me!"

Upon hearing this,

Everyone immediately felt a sense of goodwill towards the middle-aged fat man.

There are still more good people than bad in this world!

"Thank you, Elder Zhao!"

Everyone clasped their hands in thanks and praise.

"but……"

Unexpectedly, Zhao Dezhu changed the subject.

"Do you think I'd go and settle this with my tongue bare? I could bite my tongue to pieces, grind down my teeth, stick my ass out to the sky, and still not get it clean..."

At this point, the person next to Zhao Dezhu immediately took out a copper basin and placed it on the ground.

"Starting today, each of you will receive one spirit stone per month. Just throw it into this basin, and I guarantee your safety in the outer sect and even in the inner sect in the future."

"Isn't this just extorting protection money?"

The crowd immediately began to whisper among themselves.

"Outer disciples are given three spirit stones a month, and you only get one? What's the point of us cultivating then?"

"That's right, we're not paying!"

……

Hearing so many voices of resistance from the crowd.

Zhao Dezhu's face instantly darkened.

"Is this for me? Is this an offering to me? This is for your unseen ancestors!"

"If you throw something into this basin today, it might just cost you your life someday."

Cao Wang was speechless. Wasn't this protection money?

To put it nicely, it's called insurance.

"But we've just become inner disciples, and we don't have any spirit stones!"

"That's easy!"

Zhao Dezhu waved his hand, and one person immediately took out a stack of prepared IOUs and distributed them to everyone.

"Sign this, and from now on, on the fifth of each month, someone will come to collect the offerings that are distributed."

Upon seeing the IOU, everyone's faces immediately darkened.

Wang Hu, the leader, had already reached the peak of the ninth level of the Qi Refining stage. He shouted defiantly, "I'm currently at the ninth level of the Qi Refining stage, and I'm just one Foundation Establishment Pill away from entering the Foundation Establishment stage! I need to save up money to buy that pill right now, so I'm not paying!"

"hehe!"

Zhao Dezhu gave Wang Hu a deep look but didn't pay any attention.

"This is entirely voluntary; I won't force you. But I'm telling you, from today onwards, if anything happens, don't come begging to me. Even if you give me all three spirit stones you receive every month, I won't help you!"

"Life and death are predestined, wealth and honor are determined by fate. One spirit stone a month, twelve a year, one hundred and twenty in ten years—I won't pay. With these spirit stones, I can easily advance my cultivation level by quite a bit!"

"Yes! I won't pay either!"

……

The crowd immediately started making a fuss.

Zhao Dezhu's face turned completely gloomy.

"Hehe, good, very good! Excellent!"

"Walk!"

After saying that, he turned around and prepared to leave.

"Wait a moment!"

Just then, Cao Wang suddenly raised his right hand and hurriedly jogged after him.

"Elder Zhao, they are blind, but I am different. Compared to a spirit stone, my life is the most important. I will give you this spirit stone as a token of my respect. I've signed this IOU, and I will personally deliver it to you once the spirit stone arrives!"

"Oh?"

Looking at the attentive Cao Wang in front of him.

Zhao Dezhu, now with a way out, immediately showed a satisfied expression.

"You little punk, get your wits about you. Let me tell you, I'm not taking this spirit stone for nothing. You'll see how useful it is later!"

"If you ever need anything, just come find me!"

"Oh dear! Take care!"

Cao Wang bowed and scraped as he watched Zhao Dezhu leave.

But when he turned around, he saw hundreds of eyes staring straight at him.

"Pah! You spineless coward, look at your pathetic self!"

"What are you afraid of? He's already violating sect rules by accepting protection money. If we don't pay, do you think he'll dare to complain?"

"coward!"

……