My junior sister sees everyone as a heretical cultivator.

Chapter 9 The Dining Hall and the Thatched Hut

Before long, a bamboo pavilion came into view.

The words "Food Pavilion" are written in large characters on the door.

Outside, there are small bridges, flowing water, and a charming atmosphere; inside, a fragrant aroma wafts through the air.

However, in Su Ling'er's eyes, it was not that simple.

Are they trying to cover up the evil truth behind this?
She simply couldn't believe that a demonic sect would have such a normal place to eat.

Seeing his junior sister stop at the doorway in thought again, Lin Qingfeng waved his hand helplessly in front of her:

"Junior sister, junior sister? Snap out of it!"

Is this what a highly intelligent NPC is?
A highly intelligent system that can get stuck after taking just a few steps?

Su Ling'er suddenly came to her senses and quickly cupped her hands to her senior brother, saying:
"Junior sister has grown up in the mortal world and has seen all kinds of things, but she has never seen such an elegant restaurant. She has forgotten what to say for a moment. Please forgive her, senior brother."

Lin Qingfeng thought to himself, "This explanation sounds like it was made up on the spot."
Could it be that the program was just generated?

But he nodded anyway, which meant he accepted her statement.

"Junior sister, don't worry about it. You'll come often in the future."

So the two of them crossed the threshold of the food court.

Behind the door, a wave of heat, a mixture of cooking fumes and the clamor of voices, hit me.

Beneath their feet lay the most chaotic "mortal food area," where hundreds of disciples crammed together, using ordinary iron pots and firewood to cook grains and vegetables tainted with the filth of the world.

Turbid air!

Although cultivators do not completely abstain from grains, they must expend spiritual energy to expel impurities from their bodies after eating them.

If it accumulates over a long period of time, it will be harmful to spiritual practice.

Those disciples with exceptional talent or from wealthy families had already begun taking fasting pills and abstaining from grains.

Here, eating ordinary food is the norm.

Don't they find it troublesome to expel the foul air every time?
Su Ling'er's gaze passed through the screen and landed on the "Spirit Food Area".

The disciples there cooked exotic flowers and herbs, and even some monster flesh and blood.

The price listed on the wooden sign on the wall made her hesitate even more.

A single serving of Steamed Dragon Saliva Fish costs eighty low-grade spirit stones!
This is highway robbery!
She only receives a monthly allowance of three spirit stones at Qingxu Temple. She would have to work for more than two years without eating or drinking in order to afford a single dish here.

As her gaze moved deeper into the space, there were several private rooms carved from bamboo used for warding off evil spirits.

Just then, one of the doors was pushed open, and a disciple hurriedly walked out.

The moment the door opened and closed, she saw that the guests inside were dressed in magnificent attire, clearly not ordinary disciples of the Guixi Sect.

Are these the sect's henchmen?

Or perhaps it's a powerful cultivation clan that colludes with evil sects?

This is no ordinary food court.
This is clearly a training ground for animals!

The "Ordinary Food Zone" is a quagmire used to wear down the path of lower-level disciples, making them expend energy every day to expel impurities, so that the older disciples do not have to worry about being overtaken by newcomers.

The "Spiritual Food Zone" was the bait hanging over their heads, stimulating the disciples of the Mortal Food Zone with its high prices.

They forced them to work like donkeys for the sect, just to get a bite of spiritual food that could help them improve their cultivation!

She recalled how, back in Qingxu Temple, she had been unable to find anyone to help her with a single blood-clotting herb.

For inner disciples, the reward is simply to complete the task, but for outer disciples like them, those tasks might mean a near-death experience.

Moreover, the sect would never assign those tasks to outer disciples with poor aptitude.

Not to mention the risk of death on the spot, those spiritual plants were not something that people with such poor aptitude could enjoy.

Giving them outer gates would be a complete waste.

They could only use the spirit stones they had painstakingly saved to buy them in the cultivation market, or privately from inner disciples.

Thinking about this, she actually felt that even if the disciples of this demonic sect were like donkeys being dangled with carrots, they still had something to strive for.

In contrast, Qingxu Temple couldn't even be bothered to hang up that carrot...

But without a doubt, wherever they are, these newly initiated disciples are at the very bottom of the exploitation hierarchy.

Just as she was feeling agitated, a scream came from the corner.

One of the disciples collapsed to the ground, foaming at the mouth and convulsing.

Instead of panicking, the cook rushed over excitedly.

As he recorded the tragic state of his fellow disciples, he took out a few spirit stones and tossed them over:
"Thank you, junior brother. This is your payment. I'll come back to you next time I have new products."

The person who had fallen to the ground convulsed as he accepted the spirit stones, muttering to himself:

"Thank you, please come see me again next time."

Su Ling'er was dumbfounded.

Is this some kind of experiment using living people to test the effects of poisoned food?!
The person who fell to the ground actually sold his dignity and life for a mere few spirit stones?

If I die, how can I cultivate immortality?

Does this sect still have any bottom line?
Lin Qingfeng looked around at everything and secretly made plans in his mind.

This NPC's aptitude is too poor. If you invest too many spirit stones and can't recoup your investment, you'll suffer a huge loss.

The food courts offer good quality food at reasonable prices, and you might even find some unexpected surprises.

So he smiled and said to Su Ling'er:

"Junior sister, look, this is how carefree and unrestrained my sect is."

Peers can also discuss and exchange ideas here.

Although there are occasional unexpected events, they are also part of the cultivation process.

practice?

You call this spiritual practice?
Treating fellow disciples as test subjects for poison is considered cultivation, right?

Su Ling'er screamed inwardly, but on her face she forced a look of longing and said respectfully:

"I see. I've learned something. Thank you for your guidance, Senior Brother."

Senior Brother, you must consider my poor aptitude and not use mortal food to suppress me again.

But reality is often just that cruel.

Lin Qingfeng led her around the spiritual food area, ignoring the luxurious private rooms.

They walked straight to the food section where someone had just collapsed from food poisoning!
Even someone with my qualifications is being targeted like this?

This demonic sect is too ruthless!

"Junior sister, come on over. This place has the widest variety of dishes. Order whatever you like. It's on me."

Su Ling'er understood; this was her senior brother's way of putting on a show of defiance!
He wanted to force himself to eat this mortal food filled with impurities in front of everyone, thus ruining his own path!
This is clearly using her to set rules for all the lower-level disciples!

If one can break the rules simply because of poor aptitude, then how should the other disciples who are willing to suffer here conduct themselves?
A moment later, a plate of glistening braised pork was placed in front of me.

Although it looked appetizing, Su Ling'er saw it as no different from pig swill.

She pressed her lips tightly together and remained motionless.

Lin Qingfeng looked at her with some confusion.

Could it be that she thinks she has entered the immortal realm, and therefore looks down on mortal food?

While this is normal, I can't possibly spend a lot of money to feed a low-quality NPC spiritual food, can I?

What if she can't withstand the medicinal effects of the spiritual food and something goes wrong?
After thinking for a moment, in order to better guide her, he turned around and went to the tasting area in the food section, and brought back two trays.

On the tray to the left is a small white jade bowl, filled with a pool of translucent soup, ethereal and named "White Jade Dew Soup".

On the tray to the right is a slightly wriggling object, resembling the brain of some kind of creature, called the [Abyssal Wriggling Brain].

【White Jade Dew Soup】

The food buff is Ice Heart Technique (Beginner), lasting 10 minutes, and its effect is to increase mental focus.

However, if one's cultivation level is low, it may be accompanied by some side effects.

Su Ling'er understood instantly.

This isn't a treat; it's blatant coercion and enticement!
The White Jade Dew Soup is a reward for obedience, while the wriggling venomous creature is a warning for disobedience!
She tentatively reached for the white jade bowl on her left, but caught a glimpse of Lin Qingfeng's slightly furrowed brows.

He doesn't want to eat this?
Su Ling'er felt a chill run down her spine and moved her hand to the plate of dark cuisine that looked incredibly wicked.

This time, she saw that her senior brother actually had a satisfied smile on his face!
He laughed!
He actually smiled?!

Was he forcing himself to eat that plate of poison in front of everyone, just to enjoy the sight of himself struggling in agony before he died?
At that moment, all fear transformed into overwhelming grief and indignation.

I am a righteous cultivator, born between heaven and earth with a clear mind. How can I suffer such humiliation?
Even in death, one should die with dignity!

No matter what, one should taste the flavor of spiritual food before death!

At least that bowl of soup looked ethereal; even if it wasn't true spiritual food, it should be a top-quality mortal delicacy that I've never tasted in my life!
So, to Lin Qingfeng's astonishment, she pulled the plate of [White Jade Dew Soup] in front of her.

Then, with a sense of tragic grandeur, like the mournful cry of the wind and the cold of the Yi River, he scooped up a spoonful of the glistening soup and put it in his mouth.

As the soup entered his body, a sharp pain and a chill exploded from his lower abdomen!

Su Ling'er's face turned deathly pale instantly.

She got it!

Both are poison!

One is lethal upon contact with blood, the other is a slow, corrosive agent!

No matter which one she chooses, she can't escape his clutches!
"Junior sister, why aren't you eating?"

Seeing that she only took one bite and then stopped eating, Lin Qingfeng pushed the plate of [Abyssal Wriggling Brain] further towards her.

"Although this looks... well, it's a bit of a challenge, and it doesn't have the best color, aroma, or taste, it will definitely be good for you!"

Looking at the horrifying, writhing creature, Su Ling'er was extremely unwilling.

To prove that she only wanted to coast along and posed no threat to them, she pointed to the original plate of braised pork and began to wolf it down!
"Mmm...it's so delicious, Senior Brother! Thank you, Senior Brother!" she mumbled indistinctly.

"These are enough for me, I really... can't live without them!"

Lin Qingfeng was completely bewildered by her actions, but adhering to the principle of not wasting the buff, he stuffed the wriggling black object into his mouth under Su Ling'er's watchful gaze.

Suddenly, a faint light flashed across his body.

His aura instantly increased again in Su Ling'er's perception!
He ingested such a highly poisonous substance, yet he was completely unharmed, and his cultivation even improved?!
Is he telling me that in his eyes I am just an ant that he can crush at will?
Lin Qingfeng looked at the NPC who seemed to be deep in thought again, feeling quite helpless.

So I looked up a few inspirational quotes from the player forum and said gently:

"Junior sister, you must understand that the past is just the prologue, and the future is the main road."

Only by staying in my Guixi Sect will your path to enlightenment be smooth and successful, and you will be able to enjoy such delicious meals every day.

Think it over carefully. Staying here will be the best decision you ever make.

The past is but a prologue; the future is a broad road.
Is he saying that staying in this hellhole and becoming a walking corpse at their mercy is the only way to survive?

She was terrified during the meal and could no longer hold on, asking in a trembling voice.

"Senior...Senior Brother, I...I'm a little tired. Could you take me to my lodgings to rest for a bit?"

Lin Qingfeng thought for a moment and nodded, "Alright, I'll help you settle in first, and you can get to know each other better tomorrow."

He led her out of the bustling food court.

Outside the door, the moon was high in the sky.

A gentle evening breeze brought a touch of coolness.

The two walked on the cobblestone path, and disciples of the Guixi Sect passed by on the wind from time to time. They all stopped to watch when they saw their junior sister.

"Senior Brother! Is this the junior sister who just joined the sect?!"

"Our sect is indeed on the verge of great prosperity!"

Faced with these enthusiastic greetings, Su Ling'er simply lowered her head even further.

They passed through an area of ​​magnificent palaces and pavilions, with beautiful cave dwellings nestled among lush bamboo and sacred trees.

Su Ling'er's mind began to stir.

Perhaps... this hellhole isn't all torture?
She thought of the simple disciples' quarters at her own Qingxu Temple, which, though clean, were just ordinary stone houses.

Any one of these cave dwellings is probably a hundred times more luxurious than the residence of the Qingxu Temple abbot.

Although I am a beginner, I was personally led in by my senior brother, so my accommodations should... not be too bad, right?
A faint hope rose in her heart.

But Lin Qingfeng did not stop in front of any of the magnificent cave dwellings.

He led her through this area shrouded in ethereal mist, heading straight into the heart of the sect.

The bluestone slabs underfoot were gone, replaced by muddy ground.

Lin Qingfeng stopped in his tracks.

He stopped in front of a barren area that was clearly distinct from the luxurious cave dwelling area.

In the middle of the wasteland, there stood a solitary...thatched hut.

It was just a hut haphazardly built with withered yellow thatch and a few crooked pieces of wood.

The walls were drafty, and large patches of mud plaster had peeled off, revealing jagged branches underneath.

Su Ling'er stood there, stunned.

She glanced back at the still brightly lit fairy cave complex in the distance.

Then look at the dilapidated thatched hut in front of you.

The huge difference made her face feel a burning pain.

[NPC's Initial Residence]

[Description: The sect is the lowest-level dwelling automatically generated for newly recruited local NPCs, providing only basic concealment.]

[Upgrade Requirements: NPCs can upgrade their cave dwellings by completing sect quests, increasing their contribution points, or by improving their own.]

Lin Qingfeng looked at the sect panel in front of him, then at Su Ling'er's bewildered face and sighed.

The first local NPC recruited by the sect/guild was given a shabby thatched hut template, which is really damaging to the sect's image!
But our players live in such nice cave dwellings, how can she feel a sense of belonging to our Guixi Sect?
No, we have to make up for it with our communication skills!
"Ahem, junior sister, do you think this place is... too simple?"

"Of the three thousand great paths, what is the true essence?"

"People all pursue the magnificence of cave dwellings and the richness of spiritual energy, but they forget that cultivating immortality is about cultivating the heart, not external things."

He pointed to the luxurious cave dwellings in the distance, his expression a mixture of compassion and detachment.

"Just look at them."

Living in the warm jade garden, sitting and lying by the spiritual spring, I am immersed in the tranquility brought by external things every day.

His Daoist heart had long been bound by worldly vanities, losing its sharpness and forgetting its true nature.

If the heart is clouded, even the most magnificent palace is but a beautiful cage.

"And here,"

He turned around and solemnly pointed to the dilapidated thatched hut.
"This place is not a thatched hut, but a 'Return to Truth' specially set up by my Guixi Sect for its disciples!"

A place to return to one's true self?

you sure?
Su Ling'er blinked.

Lin Qingfeng said earnestly:

"Junior sister, although you are not a talented person, you are still a rough gem that has not been carved."

The sect doesn't want you to be corrupted by comfort too early.

May you cleanse yourself of worldly desires and cultivate your moral character here.

Within this small space, one can grasp the profound meaning of "the great way is simple, returning to one's true nature".

Only when you achieve your goal will you understand the sect's good intentions today!

Returning to the place of truth?

I don't believe you for a second!

This is clearly telling me that those good places are for you "our own people" to live in.

And I, an outsider, am only fit to live in a pigsty, right?!
From the mountain gate to the contract, from the dining hall to the residence, every step is fraught with pitfalls, each link connected to the next!

This demonic sect's show of force is truly ruthless!
But she knew she absolutely could not resist now.

She took a deep breath, suppressing the turbulent thoughts in her mind.

When she looked up again, she had a smile on her face.

"Your teachings are truly wise, Senior Brother!"

"This disciple is foolish and almost failed the sect's painstaking efforts!"

Lin Qingfeng nodded in satisfaction as he looked at her "suddenly realized" expression.

“Very good. Junior sister’s comprehension shows that she has a clear understanding of the Dao.”

Don't underestimate this small space.

Go ahead.

Your path will begin here.

After drawing another big pie in the sky, he finally turned around, humming an off-key tune, and disappeared around the corner of the path.

The smile on Su Ling'er's face faded only after the figure had completely disappeared.

She turned around and faced the broken door that didn't even have a latch.

After a long silence, I went inside.

The room was empty.

A pile of straw in the corner, smelling musty, could barely be considered a bed.

She began to draw spirits into her body, intending to use spiritual energy to cleanse the impurities left by her previous mortal diet.

However, upon introspection, the spiritual sea remained calm and undisturbed, without a trace of worldly impurities.

How come the ordinary food here doesn't get contaminated by impurities?
Could it be that I have wronged my senior brother?
Is that senior brother's heart ultimately good or evil?
A thousand conflicting emotions swirled in her heart, but they couldn't overcome the heavy call of her body. She could no longer hold on, letting her body merge with the straw, finally sinking into sleep.

……

Meanwhile, far away elsewhere.

Guixi Sect, where a gentle breeze gently blows.

Lin Qingfeng pushed open the door of his cave dwelling, and rich spiritual energy poured into the room.

He jumped comfortably into the spring, where steam rose, and he let out a long sigh.

"Sigh, I've really gone to great lengths to guide this junior sister onto the 'right path' and help her understand the true meaning of cultivation."

He leaned against the edge of the pool, picked up a spiritual fruit, and took a bite.

"If I don't go to hell, who will?"

"In order for my junior sister to return to her true self, I can only live in this 'cage' corrupted by extravagance with tears in my eyes!"

"Only by personally experiencing this kind of 'decay' can one better criticize it!"

So he closed his eyes to rest, letting the hot spring corrode his soul.

A moment later, lying on the bed carved from ancient jade, a thought struck him.

Do you want to quit "Jintian"?

"Yes."

The presence of the figure on the bed faded into silence.

Only wisps of spiritual energy still seeped into his internal organs, nourishing his body...

(End of this chapter)