With the rise of my family, I can summon the Daoist Soldiers' Nest.

A month has passed in the blink of an eye.

Over the past month, Lin Ye discovered that he seemed to have a real talent for guns.

The "Shadow-Piercing Spear" technique has reached a minor level of mastery, achieving the level of "shadow-chasing." The spear thrust is no longer an isolated arm movement; it can now achieve a unified and seamless power exertion, integrating the waist and stance.

This causes the thrusting speed to increase dramatically, the spear tip to tremble, and leaves a brief afterimage in the air.

His swordsmanship and footwork are still the same as before; he hasn't made any breakthroughs.

However, the Shadow Piercing Spear alone is already capable of fighting two Rock Toad Guards to a standstill, and it's not far from being able to take on three. Being able to fight three combat-type Dao Soldiers of the same realm to a draw is not considered weak among third-rate warriors.

During this time, they also summoned Tian Han and the other two. Together, they practiced formations with the Rock Toad Guard. They had already successfully completed the initial drills. The four of them constantly changed their positions, trying to make the Rock Toad Guard face the enemy's formation as much as possible, thus giving full play to the Rock Toad Guard's strong defensive advantage.

Lin Ye still remembers the expressions on the faces of the three of them when they first saw the Rock Toad Guards by his side—the surprise and envy they showed. Who would have thought that just a few days later, he would have two Dao Soldiers? It also proved that they hadn't followed the wrong person.

Just like the dozen or so inner disciples standing beside him, who were about to become outer sect stewards, they all looked at the Rock Toad Guards with envious eyes.

Standing in the center of the council hall, Lin Ye had been resting with his eyes closed for a long time, silently praying, "Why isn't the sect leader here yet? Please come and save me, or I'm afraid I'll be beaten up by these envious and jealous inner disciples around me."

Yes, everyone else failed the True Inheritance Trial and is preparing to go down the mountain to serve as an outer sect steward. At most, they have a third-rate magic weapon and a few outer sect disciples. But you, you have two Rock Toad Guards. How can you not be hated?

In fact, Lin Ye knew that it wasn't that the other inner disciples didn't have Dao weapons, some even had three; it was just that they had all become true disciples and wouldn't serve as outer sect stewards, which made his connections and background seem the strongest.

Amidst these random thoughts, a steady announcement was made, and the sect leader, followed by several elders, walked steadily into the dimly lit council hall.

Everyone immediately stopped whispering, stood with their hands at their sides, and bowed in respect.

The sect leader nodded slightly, took his seat on the large rosewood chair in the main seat, and slowly swept his piercing gaze over everyone present.

The elders sat in the lower seats on both sides in order, some sitting upright and others resting with their eyes closed, and a silent pressure filled the air.

"Everyone," Sect Leader Chu said, his gaze sweeping calmly over each disciple present.

"You have all failed in this year's True Disciple Trial and have not been able to advance further. According to the sect rules, effective immediately, you will relinquish your inner sect status and descend the mountain to serve as outer sect stewards, to hone your skills and establish yourselves."

He paused, his tone still steady, but with an added touch of earnestness.

"Whether you return to your hometown or travel far away, this journey down the mountain is all for the purpose of tempering your hearts in the mortal world. No matter where you go or where you are, your roots will always remain in the Qingyuan Sword Sect."

I urge you all to remember this: whether you bring glory to the sect or seek only personal gain, every action you take must be guided by the sect's honor. You must not do anything that would tarnish the sect's reputation. Any violation will be severely punished according to the sect's strict rules!

Everyone looked up, and Lin Ye looked at the sect leader Chu Huaixi, who was about fifty years old, wearing a faded white long robe, and had a slender and upright figure like bamboo.

His face was thin and his cheeks were slightly red. What was most wonderful about him were his eyes, which were clear as a stream. They were usually slightly narrowed and showed kindness, but upon closer inspection, they were sharp as an eagle, revealing a wisdom that saw through the ways of the world.

His black hair was only slightly gray at the temples, tied up with a wooden hairpin. He had a refined and dignified demeanor, and was dignified without being angry, just like his nickname "Mr. Qingxi".

Sect Leader Chu paused slightly, a warm smile slowly spreading across his previously solemn face, his earlier imposing manner softening. He continued, his tone becoming gentler.

"Everyone," Sect Leader Chu said, his gaze sweeping over the disciples, his voice steady and powerful.

"The sect will always be your support; you can seek help when you encounter difficulties. As outer sect stewards, you will receive a fixed allocation of resources every year."

Considering your recent arrival and the difficulties you face in establishing yourselves, the sect is bestowing upon you another "Departure Gift." We hope you will make good use of it, expand the sect's territory, and achieve new merits.

At this point, he paused briefly, his expression relaxed slightly, and a smile appeared on his face: "The departure ceremony is the same as in previous years, and there are two categories. You can choose whichever you prefer. I think you are all familiar with it, so I won't go into details."

However—" he said, his tone slightly raised, revealing a hint of seriousness.

"This year, after discussion among the elders, and seeing everyone's diligence and the sect's recent flourishing, we have made an exception and will grant each steward an additional third-rate Dao soldier! They can choose between the 'Rock Toad Guard' or the 'Mountain Patrol Craftsman.' This is a special privilege never before afforded to outer sect stewards!"

As he spoke, his gaze seemed to casually sweep over the two adorable yet imposing Rock Toad Guards beside Lin Ye, and his lips twitched almost imperceptibly, as if it were an illusion.

"Alright, enough of the small talk." The sect leader turned his gaze to the eager expressions on everyone's faces and announced loudly, "Newly appointed outer sect stewards, immediately proceed to the mountain gate to collect your supplies. Once you have received them, descend the mountain and assume your posts!"

"We will heed the sect leader's teachings and live up to the sect's expectations! Sect leader and elders, take care. This disciple takes his leave!" The disciples responded in unison, their voices shaking the roof tiles.

Before he finished speaking, everyone turned to the sect leader and bowed deeply.

After the ceremony, everyone immediately stood up, without saying a word or hesitating for a moment. They quickly formed ranks, turned around, and stepped out of the main hall in an orderly and swift manner.

As soon as they stepped out of the main hall, Lin Ye saw that the inner disciples were about to surround him. He immediately used the "Cloud Step" and led Tian Han and the other two straight to the mountain gate, leaving the others far behind.

The crowd behind them laughed as they watched them flee in such a disheveled state.

"Junior Brother Lin has already gone to collect it, let's hurry up and go too!" A lively inner disciple shouted excitedly to his companion as he walked briskly.

"This is a Taoist soldier! I've been wanting one for ages!"

If I could bring a "mountain patrol craftsman" to tinker around the yard when I go home this time, or put a "rock toad guard" to watch over the house, wouldn't all my relatives and friends be astonished? Haha, just thinking about that scene is exhilarating!

Upon arriving at the mountain gate, he found that the outer sect elders and servants were already waiting. Lin Ye handed over his identity token.

"Do you want to develop the family's business resources, or combat resources for personal use?" the elder in charge of distributing the resources asked.

"Management supplies," Lin Ye answered crisply. He had already found out.

The outer gatekeepers' business supplies include seeds of low-grade spirit plants like Iron Wire Grass, third-rate spirit plants like Jade Sprout Rice, and Dewdrop Flower, along with matching fertilizers and planting tools. Everything they carry bears the clear label of "family business."

Among them, the iron wire grass, after being dried and crushed, can be used as medicine and can be boiled together with other common herbs to make "strengthening muscles and bones soup".

Although it does not directly introduce spiritual energy, long-term use can slightly improve the resilience and strength of an ordinary person's body. It is a supplement for martial artists who have not yet reached the third rank to train their bodies and relieve fatigue.

Every morning, dew condenses on the petals of the Dew Flower, which can be made into the lowest grade of "Qi-guiding liquid." Third-rate martial artists can apply it to their bodies or inhale it to "calm the mind and regulate the meridians," making it an aid in practicing breathing exercises.

Most importantly, it contains Jade Sprout Rice. For novice martial artists, consuming Jade Sprout Rice can slowly replenish the energy consumed during cultivation. It is gentle, safe, and provides a gradual, sustainable boost, helping to solidify their foundation.

Jade Sprout Rice is a third-rate spiritual plant that even inner disciples need to consume in limited quantities on a daily basis. Lin Ye's ability to cultivate to the level of a third-rate martial artist is largely due to its nourishment over the years.

"Should we choose the Rock Toad Guardian or the Mountain Patrol Craftsman?" the elder asked in a steady voice.

"Mountain Patrol Craftsman." Lin Ye responded, taking a cool, round sphere from the elder's hand. The moment the blood seeped into his fingertip, the contract was formed. The sphere grew in the wind, gradually solidifying into the solid, rock-like shape of the craftsman he had seen before.

It has a stocky build, a dark bluish-green complexion, and resembles a rough stone. Its hair is stiff, black, and fine. Its arms are thick, and its hands are like iron clamps, capable of grasping and squeezing. Its legs are short but powerful, with broad feet, allowing it to walk steadily.

He wore an old gray cloth coat, covered in stone dust, and had small iron tools hanging from his waist, making a clanging sound as he walked, like a silent mountain craftsman.

Lin Ye, along with three Dao soldiers and Tian Han and his two companions, loaded the distributed supplies into three carriages. Each carriage was staffed with two handyman disciples, whose main responsibility was to instruct the family on the propagation methods of three types of spiritual plants: Iron Wire Grass, Jade Sprout Rice, and Dew-Gathering Flower.