Building a sect from scratch.

Chapter 501 The True Master-Disciple System

Bamboo Shoot, currently the only giant panda in the entire server, is nicknamed "Rolling Roll" by players.

In fact, players have found other pandas in the wild, such as in Rongyu Mountain, where there are quite a few. In the markets of ordinary people's settlements nearby, some black and white fur clothing has even been seen, which has been unanimously condemned by players.

However, there is only one that has cultivated into a demon. Its name is Bamboo Shoot. A long, long time ago, not long after the game was launched, it was tricked by Zhen Junzi into entering some "Junzi Immortal Cultivation Research Institute" and became Bian Yuanzhi's "nanny".

In fact, his research institute, which only worked sporadically, hadn't produced any results at all. However, thanks to the efforts of Zhusun and Bian Yuanzhi, two equally inexperienced cultivation novices, they had indeed developed many methods and techniques beneficial to beginners. They even opened a course to earn money for the two of them to eat.

Along with Bamboo Shoot, there was also a rabbit demon named Gray Twenty-Seven who joined the company. However, this rabbit demon's sense of morality was not as saintly as Bamboo Shoot's. When other research institutes and scientific research centers offered better recruitment conditions, he switched jobs and is now living a very successful life.

After much effort, the good-natured bamboo shoot managed to comfort Zhen Junzi, then turned around and left the Taiyin Sect's disciple quarters with the backpack with the Qiankun Bag function that the players had given him.

In fact, Zhen Junzi is a veteran player, so it's not like he can't even afford a house. The reason why Bian Yuanzhi and Zhusun like to live in the disciples' quarters is because it's convenient to go to class from there, and the sect's library is just a short walk away. Cultivation and study are very close, and there's also a free sect canteen where they can eat and drink for free.

"My dear disciple, how about we move back to Chang'an? This place is just too cramped; we can't even fit a decent-sized double-door refrigerator!"

After Zhusun left, Zhen Junzi fawned over Bian Yuanzhi, muttering ingratiating words to him.

Although in terms of cultivation level, Bian Yuanzhi, who has only been cultivating for less than a year and has mediocre talent, is no match for the exceptionally talented Zhen Junzi—even though he was found to have five spiritual roots after his inhumane deeds, the meridians and bones of the puppet that Fang Xianyu created are of excellent quality.

However, in terms of actual combat effectiveness...

Even ten Zhen Junzi couldn't compare to Bian Yuanzhi's hard work and diligence.

Although Bian Yuanzhi is nominally a "disciple of the Taiyin Sect", as a humanoid pet among the players, he is absolutely not allowed to go into dungeons, and players must keep an eye on him in the wild, and they are eager to feed him all kinds of good things.

Of course, Bian Yuanzhi also lived up to expectations, successfully making it into the top 100 in the "Friendly Match" held by Guangcheng Sect a while ago, representing the disciples of Taiyin Sect.

"Being in the top 100 is already pretty impressive! How long has Xiao Zhi been training, you know?!"

When this topic came up, Zhen Junzi spoke with great conviction.

Jia Xiaoren, who came specifically to seek advice from Zhen Junzi, rolled his eyes and said, "Okay, okay, very strong, very strong, very strong, but buddy, you have to help me with this. It's been so long since the real apprenticeship system was opened, and the requirements are so high. It wouldn't be right for you not to help me!"

Jia Xiaoren came specifically to discuss with Zhen Junzi a new feature that was added after the latest version update: taking on apprentices.

Although the game system itself has an apprenticeship system, it is designed for social interaction between players. Sometimes, a grandmaster's apprentice becomes a close friend of a junior apprentice. In reality, everyone plays by their own rules, and whether or not to take on apprentices depends entirely on the player's conscience.

This update introduces a completely different feature: a genuine apprenticeship system designed for native NPCs. Of course, the requirements for becoming an apprentice are numerous. Besides weekly online time and activity levels, there's also a requirement for personal asset verification—supposedly to prove one can afford to mentor and support an apprentice. Furthermore, the qualification to become an apprentice requires exchanging sect prestige or contribution points, and one must not have a history of being marked as a "red name" (indicating a negative online reputation) within the past month.

The strictness was comparable to a political vetting process. Players posted dozens of angry messages on the game forums criticizing the official team, but the game company consistently pretended to be deaf and ignored them completely.

Despite the criticism, most players still want to redeem the qualification – this is the mentality of most players.

What excites players even more is that after redeeming the apprenticeship qualification, the target of apprenticeship will no longer be limited to "people"!
Demons, ghosts, the Spring Immortal Clan, the Dragon Clan, etc.—as long as you dare to accept them and they dare to agree, the Taiyin Sect will dare to acknowledge them!
The news caused an uproar – this would be a perfect alternative to the beast taming style and spirit pet raising style!

Who could resist a big-eyed, furry creature following them around calling them "Master"?
So as soon as the update was completed and login was enabled today, Jia Xiaoren rushed over and found Zhen Junzi.

The main purpose is to borrow money.

Jia Xiaoren could meet all the requirements, including game activity, online time, and other criteria, except for the personal asset verification, which left him momentarily at a loss.

Unlike Zhen Junzi, who didn't need to convert the money he earned in the game into real-world RMB because he already had NPC apprentices, Jia Xiaoren converted almost all the money he earned in the game into RMB. He even sold off all the good equipment that dropped, keeping only a few pieces for himself.

As for that "home" in Chang'an City, it is completely empty and still in a rough state. There is only a bed for going up and down the internet, and even the door of the house has not been installed!

Zhen Junzi glanced at his mischievous friend and asked, "So how do you want me to help?"

Jia Xiaoren made an outrageous demand: "Can you lend me a few thousand taels of gold?"

Zhen Junzi nearly choked on his own saliva, and retorted, "No way, I've only saved up a little over two thousand gold coins. You want to lend me several thousand? Are you kidding me?!"

"Gold" is slang among players, referring to Taiyin Yuan. Two thousand gold is two thousand Taiyin Yuan, which is roughly equivalent to 50,000 RMB at market rates, all for the qualification to take on an apprentice...

Zhen Junzi was speechless: "Just for a chance to take on a disciple, you ask me for 50,000 yuan? Is that appropriate?!"

"Why not! The sooner you switch, the sooner you can enjoy it! I'll earn it back for you in two months at most!" Jia Xiaoren said matter-of-factly, "Just tell me if you're going to help your brother or not!"

Of course, Zhen Junzi couldn't possibly refuse such a small favor, but he also had his own ulterior motives: "I'll help, I'll definitely help, but you have to leave some for me, right? I still have Xiao Zhi to raise! Besides, I'd like to get another one for Xiao Zhi to keep him company!"

"Parents of two children can't possibly have a balanced approach!"

In an effort to borrow money, Jia Xiaoren pointed and said with great distress, "If you do this, Xiao Zhi will distance himself from you!"

Bian Yuanzhi, who had somehow sneaked out of the room, had bright, sparkling eyes and asked excitedly in his hoarse voice, "No way! Is Master really going to take on another disciple? Does that mean I'll be the legendary senior brother?!"