Am I the old man who's always by my apprentices' side?

Chapter 6 Upgrade, Upgrade

Zhang Chengdao originally thought that he would be able to build a thatched house after reaching level 2, but he didn't expect that he still couldn't.

After level 2, only two more buildings are added to the building panel: [Stonework] and [Warehouse].

The requirements for upgrading to level 3 are these two buildings.

He had forgotten exactly at what level he unlocked the [Thatched House], but it certainly wouldn't be too late, as it's a very early-game dwelling.

Regardless, he still needs to upgrade his cheat system as much as possible, as this is the foundation for him to make money in the future.

于是，张承道看了眼两个建筑所需的材料：【石作】需要30单位的石头、20木板和15竹条，【仓库】则只需要15木板和15石头。

The inventory of materials in my backpack shows I still have plenty of stones, but not enough planks. However, there are trees everywhere in the mountains, so collecting wood won't be a problem. As long as I have enough wood, crafting planks will be very easy.

What really gave him a headache was the bamboo strips.

Bamboo is found all over China, and it should also grow in Baishi Mountain, but Zhang Chengdao didn't see it when he was wandering around.

In this vast mountain range, where I'm unfamiliar with the area, it's difficult to find anyone. I don't even know if my cheap apprentice knows where it is...

Zhang Chengdao never engaged in internal strife, and as soon as he thought of it, he immediately asked, "Ping An, do you know where there are bamboo trees around here?"

Chang Ping'an had lived near Baishi Mountain since childhood and often went into the mountain. He knew the terrain around Baishi Mountain like the back of his hand. He immediately replied, "There is a bamboo forest near the path leading into the mountain. However, the place we are in now is a valley. Unless we can climb the cliff, it will be difficult to leave."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Chengdao glanced at the cliff face not far away and couldn't help but hiss.

He himself had already reached the first level of Qi Refining, so of course he could easily climb up using spiritual power.

To be even more pretentious, he could walk sideways on the cliff.

But he can't carry people—to carry people using spiritual power, one must at least reach the Foundation Establishment stage!
Seeing his master frowning as he stared at the cliff, Chang Ping'an quickly and considerately said, "Disciple... Although I am not yet proficient in the Qi Refining Book, my true qi meridians have been restored, and I can still use my old true qi. I may be able to climb the cliff on my own."

Zhang Chengdao finally relaxed his brow. After thinking for a moment, he took out the blue treasure [Zouwu Bell] that he had drawn earlier from his backpack and handed it to Chang Ping'an.

"This is called the [Zouwu Bell]. Wearing it will make you as light as a swallow. It might be helpful to you. Try it out first."

I don't know if increasing movement speed will help with climbing mountains, but... what if it does?

Moreover, "movement speed +1" is almost the same as "light as a swallow"!

Zhang Chengdao blew it with a clear conscience.

"Thank you Master!"

Chang Ping'an looked at the exquisite bell in his master's hand, which emitted a light golden glow, and showed gratitude. He carefully took the [Zouwu Bell] and placed it close to his body, saying, "Disciple is ready!"

Zhang Chengdao nodded, activated the building mode, and put all the buildings into his backpack before leading his apprentice to the foot of the cliff.

"You go up and try it first!"

Zhang Chengdao urged.

Although his Qi Refining Level 1 cultivation wasn't enough to carry someone, he could still catch his disciple if he fell, preventing him from dying. As long as he survived, the Kudzu Root Decoction and the Traumatic Injury Powder could pull him back from the brink of death!

That's how confident we are in the products made by Golden Hand!
However, Chang Ping'an interpreted this as his master being distrustful of him, and a warm feeling suddenly welled up in his heart.

He had never felt this kind of care since his parents died.

Chang Ping'an blinked hard, his eyes stinging slightly. Without a word, he gathered his inner energy, leaped up, and climbed onto the rock face. Then, he began to climb up the rock face using all four limbs, his speed not fast but still quite effortless.

Once he was sure his disciple was safe, Zhang Chengdao circulated his spiritual energy and carefully walked along the cliff, following Chang Ping'an at a leisurely pace.

After a while, Chang Ping'an finally climbed up the cliff and excitedly turned back to shout, "Master! That treasure you gave me is amazing! I definitely feel much lighter!"

Before he could finish speaking, he saw Zhang Chengdao walking casually on the rock face, and his eyes nearly popped out of their sockets in astonishment.

Although martial artists can walk freely on rock walls by relying on their true qi, it requires not only a very high level of cultivation, at least the sixth rank or above, but also extremely fast speed to gain leverage.

To walk leisurely and casually as if on flat ground, like one's own master, is simply unheard of!

No wonder they're immortals!
Seeing Chang Ping'an's admiring gaze, Zhang Chengdao felt inexplicably guilty.

The reason he walked so leisurely...

It's because he can't walk fast at all!

At the first level of Qi Refining, one cannot fly or teleport, which is why one can only walk slowly along the cliff face!
Moreover, if you don't go this way, you'll have to climb in a particularly shady way, using both your hands and feet—it doesn't look as dignified as Chang Ping'an's!

As a master, he should have some self-respect, okay?

"Well, as long as it works well, that's fine. You can use it for now, and I'll give you something better later."

Zhang Chengdao climbed up the cliff, made a grand promise, and the two hurriedly headed to the bamboo forest that Chang Ping'an had mentioned.

The snow-covered bamboo forest looked very picturesque. Considering the issue of obtaining raw materials, Zhang Chengdao decided to temporarily build all the buildings in the bamboo forest. He found several open spaces and squeezed out the campfire, workbench, and thatched hut.

To facilitate the construction of subsequent buildings, he also specifically designed the placement of each building and divided the area into zones.

For example, the [work platform] and the [stone workshop] that is about to be built are placed together as functional buildings, while the [thatched shed] and the [warehouse] that is to be built are grouped together as "storage rooms".

The campfire was placed in the very center, while the thatched hut, whose construction date was unknown, was planned to be located not far from the campfire.

Once he levels up and unlocks new decorative buildings, he'll be able to build some fences to enclose all these buildings, making them look neater and less scattered like they are now.

In fact, the reason Zhang Chengdao decided to place these buildings in the bamboo forest was because, as Chang Ping'an said, this place was the entrance to the mountain, making it more convenient to buy and sell things in the nearby towns.

In addition, this place is close to various raw materials, making it convenient to collect them, which allows him to quickly level up his cheat ability and get through the somewhat powerless early stages.

That's why we chose this place!
Regarding security and secrecy...

Let him work hard for a couple of days to level up his cheat ability first, then it won't be too late to find a suitable location for the sect's headquarters!
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(End of this chapter)