Put away your magical powers now!.

Chapter 241 [Seeking Help] (6200)

Chapter 235 [Seeking Help] (6200)

That evening, the disciples gathered in the outer courtyard and left again to go to the lecture hall. This time, it was said that an elder from the sect would be giving a sermon on the "Dao" of the sect's sage.

Counting the days, a quarter of the selection process for this round of outer court disciples has already passed. In recent days, lecturing on the sect's own path of sagehood has become the main course of daily practice.

Chen Yan hadn't participated much before, but he had heard other disciples in the academy talk about it.

Some disciples were delighted upon hearing the Dao, while others were sullen. Clearly, the Dao of the founding sage of the Heavenly Demon Yin Yang Joyful Union Sect might not be suitable for them. After practicing it every day, they only felt that it was difficult and incompatible with their own abilities.

However, if one wishes to join a sect, the teachings of that venerable sage founder are the sect's highest principles. When they preach and transmit the scriptures, selecting those with good comprehension is only one aspect; more importantly, they select the most suitable candidates for the sect—suitability is even more important than talent.

It was clear to the naked eye that the prospective disciples in the outer courtyard were gradually feeling more and more pressure. The thirty-odd people in the courtyard were all behaving differently and having different mindsets, which gave the impression of a variety of human experiences.

His practice has been going quite smoothly these past few days, and he's become noticeably more pleased with himself, even speaking louder when chatting casually.

Among them were a few who were feeling down, their moods became increasingly depressed, and they spoke much less. Whenever others were talking loudly, these people would subconsciously hide in a corner, remain silent, and appear increasingly withdrawn.

Chen Yan stayed in his room until evening, carefully putting away the outer disciple token given to him by Nangong Sheng. He didn't go out into the courtyard until the evening meal was delivered.

At this moment, several prospective disciples in the courtyard were having a lively discussion about the cultivation theories of the Venerable Saints they had learned that day, exchanging their own insights, with a hint of boasting in their voices. Many people around them cast envious glances at them.

In Chen Yan's view, it was quite similar to the scene in the real world where, after the final exams at school, a group of top students are comparing answers, while a group of poor students can only stare blankly.

Those who were talking loudly saw Chen Yan walk out of the room. Although they all politely bowed to him, their expressions and words clearly showed less respect.

Unlike when Chen Yan first arrived a few days ago, when everyone speculated about his background and that he was likely a chosen one who would definitely pass the assessment and enter the sect, everyone treated Chen Yan with respect and a sense of awe.

These "top students" have been learning quite smoothly these past few days and have received praise from the lecturing elders. They are quite proud of themselves and feel that it is only a matter of time before they enter the sect as outer disciples. At that time, they will only be disciples of the same generation as this Zhao Shanhe, so there is no need to be so respectful.

Chen Yan didn't care about this attitude. He was about to return to his room after finishing his meal when he suddenly saw a disciple walking quickly over and blocking his way.

Looking up, he saw a face with ordinary features. Chen Yan immediately recognized him as the guy who had opened his eyes first and failed to enter a state of enlightenment when he listened to the Enlightenment Bell a few days ago.

I hadn't noticed this person for a few days, but now I found that he looked exhausted, and his eyes were downcast and lost. It was as if the words "bewilderment" were written all over his face.

Chen Yan frowned, but his tone remained calm as he asked in a low voice, "What is it?"

"...Yes, there are some things I'd like to ask you for guidance on, fellow Daoist." The man murmured, then bowed deeply to Chen Yan: "I humbly request your guidance, fellow Daoist..."

“I haven’t been to any lectures these past few days. If there’s anything you don’t understand about what you’ve learned, you might as well ask those who are doing well. I probably can’t help you.” Chen Yan calmly shook his head and declined.

The man looked dejected and pitiful—but Chen Yan wasn't a saint.

The man's face turned pale, and seeing Chen Yan about to leave, he quickly said, "I, I'm not asking about the lessons of the past few days, but I have something else I'd like to ask you, fellow Daoist."

Chen Yan raised an eyebrow, looked at the man, and pondered for a moment: "It's not really asking for guidance. We live in the same courtyard, and my cultivation is not high, so I'm afraid I can't give you any pointers."

A pleading look appeared in the man's eyes. He glanced around and noticed that many people were casting curious and questioning glances at him. He lowered his voice and said, "Fellow Daoist, I'm only taking up a little of your time... Well, this isn't the place to talk. Could we go to my room to discuss this?"

Chen Yan stared intently at the man, whose gaze clearly held a hint of yearning and humility.

“…Never mind, let’s go to my room.” Chen Yan sighed.

Upon hearing this, the man was overjoyed and nodded repeatedly, following Chen Yan carefully back to his room.

Upon entering Chen Yan's room, as soon as Chen Yan closed the door, the man immediately took something out of his sleeve—a fiery red metal disc. He placed it on the ground, and it instantly released a surge of energy that enveloped the room.

"This is a magical artifact I crafted myself. It can block out sound, so people outside won't be able to hear what you're saying to me inside the room." The man spoke quickly, cupping his hands to Chen Yan. Before Chen Yan could say who he was, he suddenly bent his knees and knelt down in front of Chen Yan.

Chen Yan narrowed his eyes, but remained expressionless and did not help the man up. His tone turned cold: "What do you mean by this?"

The man's face was full of pleading as he knelt on the ground and bowed to Chen Yan, saying, "I hope you will know that I am now desperate and have no other choice. After much thought, I have come to you for help, and perhaps I still have a sliver of hope!"

Chen Yan sighed and said calmly, "I'm just like you, someone who lives in the outer courtyard. I'm nothing here, so I'm afraid I can't help you much. No matter what the problem is, if you ask me for help, you've probably asked the wrong person."

The man said respectfully, “Fellow Daoist, please don’t be modest! Throughout our entire academy… no, not just our academy! Among the hundreds of disciples selected this time, who doesn’t know that we have such a person as you in our academy?”

Everyone says that you, Fellow Daoist, possess extraordinary talent and are even appreciated by someone within the sect. When this selection process concludes, you will undoubtedly be among those officially accepted into the sect!

Upon hearing this, Chen Yan frowned and feigned displeasure, saying, "These rumors are all false and should not be taken seriously. A sect of saints is not so easy to enter."

As he spoke, he looked at the man and said slowly, "Get up first. Since we let you in to talk, then speak properly—it's not right for you to keep kneeling like this."

The man shook his head: "I am not doing this to force you, fellow Daoist, but simply to show my respect for you."

Chen Yan sneered inwardly, already somewhat regretting agreeing to let this person in to talk—in his mind, people who deliberately humble themselves to the dust to beg others to submit are somewhat morally blackmailing.

He firmly believed that a person who would readily break their own dignity to get something is likely someone who easily crosses the line.

Not good!

·
"Since that's the case, you can kneel if you want, it's not that I won't let you get up." Chen Yan's tone became even colder: "Now say what you want to say."

The man raised his sleeve to wipe his forehead before slowly saying, "Fellow Daoist, you are still unaware of my origins. My name is Nan Qiao, and I am from Mount Huoshen in the Western Frontier. My family has been cultivators for three generations, but we are only a small, low-level cultivation family. Although we are called a cultivation family, we are not much better than those rogue cultivators."

However, since all three generations of my family were cultivators, it was slightly easier for me to enter the path than for ordinary people. I didn't need to go to the local government office to achieve enlightenment. Instead, my elders tested my talent when I was very young and taught me how to cultivate and achieve enlightenment.

But along the way of cultivation, our small, low-level cultivation families don't actually have many resources for cultivation, not much different from independent cultivators..."

Chen Yan nodded; he wasn't surprised by this.

If someone were truly from a wealthy and influential family, they wouldn't need to participate in this kind of open selection process.

"Okay, go on." Chen Yan slowly sat down beside the bed and said calmly, "But you'd better keep it short. I'm not interested in your background."

Nan Qiao said in a low voice, "Fellow Daoist, although my family is a family of cultivators, our ancestors for three generations were not ordinary cultivators, but... followed the path of weapon crafting. My grandfather, my father, and myself are all weapon crafters."

My hometown is near Huoshenshan, which is famous for producing high-quality Huojing copper.

As the saying goes, "those who live near the mountain live off the mountain." Since my family has established ourselves in Huoshenshan, we naturally rely on the Huoshenshan copper mine for our livelihood.

Although the best large mines are all divided up by powerful families and clans, there are always some insignificant small mines that these families and clans look down on. They are like scraps that slip through their fingers, used to recruit and win over some local grassroots forces..."

Nan Qiao then quickly explained the situation, and Chen Yan roughly understood what she was saying.

Nan Qiao's family was considered a wealthy rural family in the area. They had originally been affiliated with a second-rate local family, who offered them a small mine. Nan Qiao's family acquired the mine through a kind of "contracting" arrangement.

However, most of the profits from mining have to be handed over to that aristocratic family. At the same time, because the Nan Qiao family are three generations of weapon refiners, they also have to take on the weapon refining orders that the aristocratic family regularly issues.

These small, low-level cultivation families seem to be doing quite well. In the eyes of ordinary people in the local area, they would be considered important figures who walk with an air of authority.

But in the face of a true aristocratic family, or even just a local cultivation family, they are nothing more than lackeys who live off others and depend on them for survival.

While this kind of life wasn't the best, it was much better than that of a lowly, independent cultivator. Firstly, it was stable; having secured control of a mining vein meant at least a steady income.

At the same time, the third-generation weapon refiners are considered skilled talents who can make a living through their craft, which is quite good.

But misfortune still befell them.

This trouble is vulgar... because of matters between men and women.

Nan Qiao has a half-sister who is said to be very beautiful and has a good talent for cultivation.

The family originally thought this girl was a rare commodity and planned to cultivate her well, hoping to use her for marriage alliances with other cultivation families in the future.

The problem is that Nan Qiao's sister has caught the eye of a young master from the powerful family they rely on for support.

—According to this logic, it should actually be a good thing for Nan Qiao's family!
The Nanqiao family claims to be a family of cultivators, but that's really just a bit of self-aggrandizement.

There was no inherited cultivation technique in the family. His grandfather was originally a rogue cultivator who learned the art of weapon crafting through a fortuitous encounter, which led him to establish his family as a weapon crafter.

For three generations, not a single member of the family had reached the Celestial Realm. The family they had allied themselves with, however, was a true aristocratic family—possessing inherited cultivation techniques and having powerful elders overseeing them.

Although they were only a second-rate local family, their ancestors had produced an ancestor who reached the Nascent Soul Realm—though he was unable to break through to the Venerable Realm and eventually passed away after a lifetime of hardship.
Although that ancestor passed away, he left behind his cultivation techniques, which have brought him lasting blessings. Thanks to this legacy, this family has produced several high-level cultivators above the Celestial Realm.

Even now, there are still two Celestial Realm cultivators, one of whom is said to hold a high-ranking position in Sendai.

Compared to such a prestigious family, the so-called "family" of the Nan Qiao family, which is like a wealthy countryman, is simply a peasant.

The fact that their daughter had been chosen by such a prestigious young master was something the Nan Qiao family could never have dreamed of.

Faced with such a good opportunity, the Nan Qiao family had already been making a big fuss, eagerly trying to curry favor and send their daughter to a prestigious family mansion to marry that young master—this was considered climbing the social ladder.

For the Nan Qiao family, this kind of thing might just be the key to their rapid rise. With the backing of such a prestigious in-law family, their development could take them several leaps forward.

But the problem is...

“It’s just that their family is too bullying.” Nan Qiao’s eyes reddened as she spoke: “That scion of a noble family is not the legitimate son of his family, but a son born out of wedlock. He only gained some favor from the head of the family because his mother was favored. As a son born out of wedlock, he gained some power and was sent to a remote place like Huoshen Mountain to manage the family property.”

That person's cultivation aptitude was terrible. He was quite old, yet he was still only a first-realm cultivator!
I heard that he was able to enter the path of cultivation only because his family spent money to buy him a Spirit Enlightenment Pill, which forced him to gain enlightenment. Otherwise, he would have remained a mortal for the rest of his life.

Although the Spirit Communicator Pill helped him enter the path of cultivation and become a cultivator, his aptitude was too poor, and he had no desire to pursue the Dao. He just wasted his time playing around, and his cultivation level is still only at the first stage of the Inner Chamber Realm.

With such talent, and being an illegitimate son, my family was originally willing to humble ourselves and marry our sister to him.

But... unexpectedly, he had no intention of marrying her at all!

Nan Qiao gritted her teeth as she spoke, "My father went there personally to ask for an audience with him and had a talk with him. He... he actually told my father that he planned to keep my sister as a concubine outside the family, but... but..."

At this point, Nan Qiao's voice trembled slightly: "He actually only wanted my sister to be a mistress in a mansion, not even as good as a concubine, a nameless and unrecognized woman in a mansion!"

As she spoke, Nan Qiao's eyes reddened: "My sister was also raised like a pearl in the palm of her family since she was a child. How could she do such a humiliating thing! After my father spoke with him, he couldn't stand his contempt for our family and refused his request... But then... he actually sent a manager to threaten to take back the mine that my family was managing and give it to someone else..."

Hearing this, Chen Yan looked at Nan Qiao's excited and indignant expression, but remained unmoved.

It sounds nice to say, but it's like the girl was forced into becoming a mistress, which is an insult...

But if she were to marry into another family as a wife or concubine, their family would be overjoyed to comply.

To put it bluntly, isn't it all about selling daughters?
It's just that they're satisfied when the price is high, but feel insulted when the price is low?
They've already sold it all, so what's the point of talking about dignity? It's ridiculous.

Chen Yan nodded: "What's the point of telling me all this? Do you think I can help you solve your family's problems? You don't think I can help you subdue a scion of a powerful family, do you?"

"Of course not, I have no such wishful thinking." Nan Qiao quickly shook her head: "The other party gave my family six months. Once the time is up, they will take back the mine. Now, my family is driven to a dead end. After discussing it, my father and grandfather have no choice but to agree to that person's conditions and sacrifice my sister."

But... that person was narrow-minded and vindictive. Even when my father went to plead with him again, that person refused to even grant my sister the status of a concubine, instead specifically ordering her to enter the mansion as a maid.

Moreover, the mineral veins will still be taken away.

He said he would spare my whole family if my sister became his servant.

If we don't comply, not only will they take the mine, but once my family is ruined, they will leave us with no way to survive.

Seeing Chen Yan's cold expression, Nan Qiao quickly said, "Out of desperation, my family discussed the matter and learned that the Sage Sect was opening its doors to select disciples, so we thought this might be a way out. After discussing it at home, we decided that among my brothers and sisters, I was the most talented, so we sent me to participate in the sect's disciple selection."

Although that man's family was prominent in the area, they were only a second-rate family, far inferior to a sage's sect. Moreover, that prodigal son was merely an illegitimate son in the family.

If I'm lucky enough to be accepted as a disciple by a saintly sect, with that kind of status, they won't dare to pressure my family too much, and then..."

Chen Yan sighed: "Alright, I understand."

He then raised his eyelids to look at Nan Qiao: "Then what are you begging me for?"

"Please, please help me pass the selection process, fellow Daoist! I, Nan Qiao, can swear an oath to the Heavenly Dao that if I can enter the sect, I will follow your lead without question! I will obey your every command without hesitation!"

Chen Yan laughed, his tone strange: "I understand that you want to be selected as a disciple of a saintly sect, but... why do you think I can help you? I can't decide who gets selected."

“Fellow Daoist may not be able to decide, but someone else can!” Nan Qiao gritted her teeth, steeled her resolve, and slowly said, “That day during the sermon, your words were appreciated—others may not know, but I do. The one who appreciated you during the sermon that day was an inner disciple of the sect, surnamed Nangong, with the given name Sheng.”

This Nangong Sheng is an inner disciple, and also the personal disciple of the head of the Weapon Refining Hall, and is highly regarded by the elders of the Weapon Refining Hall.

Although his cultivation level was not outstanding among the inner disciples, his talent for weapon crafting was first-rate and top-notch, so his status among the inner disciples was relatively high!

Within the weapon-refining hall, his word carried immense weight; generally, what he said was law.

If, if it were…

"If what?" Chen Yan squinted at Nan Qiao.

Nan Qiao took a deep breath: "It is said that Nangong Sheng is most obsessed with weapon crafting. As for me, three generations of my family have been weapon crafters, and I believe I have some unique insights into the art of weapon crafting."

Therefore, I only ask that you, fellow Daoist, introduce me to Master Nangong Sheng—if I can gain even a fraction of his favor, given his status and position, a single word from him could secure me a mere outer disciple spot, greatly increasing my chances of being selected by the sect!

Nan Qiao continued, "I know that you have gained the appreciation of Mr. Nangong Sheng. He even gave you an opportunity that day. You will definitely be able to stay in the sect this time. You will definitely have influence in his eyes, and he will most likely be willing to listen to what you say."

Despite hearing these compliments, Chen Yan remained expressionless and simply looked at Nan Qiao quietly.

After pausing for a few seconds, Nan Qiao struggled in her eyes before gritting her teeth and slowly saying, "Since I have come to you for help, I will naturally not be ignorant of etiquette."

If you are willing to help me, I... will also offer you a generous gift.

Chen Yan frowned, about to refuse, when he heard Nan Qiao speak first: "My family has been managing that mine for over fifty years. Although it is a fire essence copper mine, everything in the world has its counterparts. Although it is not a rich mine, it has a unique feature compared to other mines: its fire essence copper mine contains some associated minerals, namely fire copper!"

Upon hearing this, Chen Yan raised an eyebrow!
"Although the output of this associated Li Huo copper mine is scarce and the ore contains many impurities, my family has been mining it for fifty years. With my grandfather's craftsmanship, we have purified it and removed the impurities. After decades of mining, we have accumulated a considerable amount."

"If you help me, my family is willing to offer ten catties of Fire-Separating Copper as a reward!"

Chen Yan fell silent.

Li Huo Tong (离火铜) is an extremely yin material that can nourish the spiritual energy of ghosts—the Li Huo candle in Chen Yan's hand has this effect.

Fire-repelling copper is a material that can be used to make ritual implements.

Most importantly... after Chen Yan obtained the damaged substitute puppet he had picked up, he had been looking up some information these days, especially Nangong Sheng's weapon-refining notes in the jade slip that Nangong Sheng had given him.

To repair the substitute puppet, the main material needed is Fire Copper!

Fire-removing copper is also one of the most important main materials for making substitute puppets.

But this thing...

expensive!
In any case, it's definitely not something Chen Yan can afford.

Unless he abandons everything and is willing to go back into the forests of Badlands Mountain, spend a few months there, and kill another batch of ferocious beastmen to exchange for the bounty.

"Besides the Fire Copper, I have something else to offer you."

Nan Qiao presented a jade slip with both hands: "This is a record of my family's three generations of weapon crafting experience—since I'm asking for your introduction, I'll naturally give this to you as well, and present it to Mr. Nangong Sheng..."

Chen Yan's heart skipped a beat.

He understood the meaning of this action... The unique weapon-forging techniques and insights of three generations of a family were all here.

Since they were willing to hand it over to me and pass it on to Nangong Sheng, it means that they didn't refuse my request to take a look at it first...

This is tantamount to giving me the most treasured weapon-forging techniques of the Nan Qiao family.

Moreover, it really is a treasured item.

Since they wanted to introduce him to Nangong Sheng and gain his favor, they certainly wouldn't dare to hold back anything.

(End of this chapter)