Celestial Official!

"So this is the mid-stage of Qi Refining..."

Sister Zhu's words were clear and logical, just like the sermon she gave in front of Yanxuan Hall that day, which made people unconsciously immerse themselves in it and wholeheartedly understand this "Daoist teaching".

Upon hearing this, Yan Chen felt as if the clouds had parted and the fog had cleared. The path he had been somewhat obscuring was now beginning to reveal a glimpse of its true meaning.

"Opening up the Yin and Yang dwellings, guiding the mutually generating Qi mechanism..."

"I am currently at the third level of Qi Refining, but because I have not yet opened up my residence, I have not mastered the full strength of this level."

"Therefore, only by drawing upon the Qi of Bing Fire or Jia Wood and choosing a place to open a residence can one truly solidify the realm of the three levels of Qi Refining."

"In this way, each time a residence is opened, one's cultivation level will be raised, until both Yin and Yang residences are completed..."

"That's exactly the sixth level of Qi Refining, the middle stage of perfection!"

"The path of cultivation is truly profound and mysterious!"

Thinking of this, Yan Chen lowered his eyes slightly, his gaze falling on a corner of the cloud-colored cloak, and thought to himself:

"Those in charge of the valley, like Senior Sister Zhu, are all at the fifth level of Qi Refining. In that case, she is only one step away from reaching the sixth level of Qi Refining, which is to open up the last residence."

"But to take this step, one must bring together the two natures of Yin and Yang and conform to the principle of mutual generation. It is demanding and complicated, and by no means an easy task."

"Take Zheng, the head of Danlan Valley, for example. He is quite old but still stuck at the fifth level of Qi Refining. He even had to take the initiative to pass on the art of alchemy. This shows that the difficulty of this stage is far beyond that of the early stage of Qi Refining."

Yan Chen shook his head.

"That's a bit of worrying unnecessarily; right now, we should take care of ourselves."

"The method of guiding Qi and opening up a mansion should be found in the Yanxuan Palace, but not everyone is qualified to cultivate it."

"After all, this is the Jade Sleeve Sect..."

All sorts of thoughts flashed by in the blink of an eye.

Then Zhu Zhilan stretched her body slightly, looking a little tired, and then stood up, took out a small blue booklet from the bookshelf, and started flipping through it casually.

Without looking up, he said in his usual calm tone:

"You have been a disciple of the Jade Sleeve Sect for some time now, and you should know that if you want to become a useful person, you must eventually demonstrate your personal value."

Even the stewards within the valley cannot escape this principle.

"Therefore, whether it is the various techniques and Taoist arts in Yanxuan Hall, or the magical artifacts and spiritual treasures in Fayuan Hall, all must be obtained from official duties in Mingtang Hall and 'merit' accumulated before they can be exchanged."

"According to the classification of the Jade Sleeve Sect, twenty minor merits make one major merit; ten major merits make one good merit; and five good merits make one major merit."

"Inside the Yanxuan Hall, there is a technique called 'The Song of Capturing Yin and Yang at Will,' which is worth a great merit and is perfect for cultivators who have reached the third level of Qi Refining and are opening their own residences for the first time."

"As for you, Junior Brother Yan, based on the merits you accumulated in the Xuchunfang incident, you should have five great merits, enough to exchange for this cultivation technique."

Upon hearing this, Yan Chen raised an eyebrow slightly, feeling somewhat surprised.

Is it that simple?

In that case, wouldn't he be able to go to Yanxuan Palace immediately to exchange for the so-called "Song of Capturing Yin and Yang at Will"?

You didn't even think about taking a hit?

This is not like the Jade Sleeve Sect's style at all!

Yan Chen thought to himself that there must be something else going on, so he showed no emotion on his face and did not rush to speak.

After several breaths...

Sure enough, Senior Sister Zhu continued:

"Of course, if you, junior brother, have other desires for advancement, you can patiently accumulate five more merits to combine into one good merit."

"In this way, one is qualified to exchange for a 'Song of Restraining the Two Elements and the Divine Evil'."

"Unlike the 'Song of Capturing Yin and Yang at Will', this technique is enough to support your cultivation to the sixth level of Qi Refining, saving you a lot of trouble."

"There is an important official business in the Gold Melting Valley that no one has yet taken the time to handle. If it is done well, it will be recorded as a great achievement."

Zhu Zhilan paused, and seeing that Yan Chen's expression remained normal, she continued:

"Of course, there are no other strict requirements for the steward of the valley besides his official duties."

"The choice is entirely up to you."

Is it entirely up to one's own will?

Yan remained silent.

The two choices seem very humane, but if you foolishly choose the first one, you'll be completely falling into a trap.

At his current cultivation speed, reaching the third level of Qi Refining will not take too much time.

And at that time, how will I be able to cultivate to the fourth, fifth or even sixth level with only a basic technique?

After going around in circles, we always return to the starting point—working to earn "merit" to exchange for cultivation techniques.

The time and effort spent at that time would be difficult to record in a diary.

Rather than doing that, it would be better to accumulate "merit" as soon as possible and exchange it for that "Song of Restraining the Two Elements and the Divine Evil" to end it all at once.

Besides.

Based on his previous speculations and the various behaviors of Sister Zhu in the past, this so-called "important official business" was probably related to her own cultivation.

If that's the case, then I have no reason to shirk responsibility.

Yan Chen took a deep breath and replied:

"I am willing to share my senior sister's burdens."

Upon seeing this, Zhu Zhilan smiled faintly, closed the book in her hand, and gently tossed it forward.

Yan Chenfu, as if struck by inspiration, reached out and caught it.

Looking down, I saw the words "The Song of Capturing Yin and Yang" written in sharp handwriting on the cover.

He was taken aback and looked at Senior Sister Zhu.

Zhu Zhilan, unusually revealing a sly look, opened her mouth and said:

"Hmm, I forgot that a second-level Qi Refining Yuan Spirit can also be considered a great achievement. Let this 'Song of Capturing Yin and Yang with Ease' be considered Senior Sister's way of taking care of Junior Brother!"

After holding back for a long time, Yan Chen finally mustered up the courage to say:

"Thank you for your kindness, Senior Sister!"

……

……

An hour later, Yan Chen stepped out of Huacai Tower.

Compared to when he arrived, he had changed out of his dark blue Taoist robe and replaced it with a crimson Taoist robe that symbolized his status as a deacon.

Unlike Senior Brother Wang's black and red Taoist robe, his robe had wide sleeves resembling a pipa, making it appear more spacious and flowing. Its color was also deeper and more solemn, like the glow of the setting sun, bright and radiant.

He has lost much of his youthful impetuosity and appears more dignified and composed, inspiring respect in people and making them dare not underestimate him.

As Yan Chen raised his hand and flipped it over, a small, exquisitely carved jade pendant came into view.

Turning it over, you can see the two characters "Yan Chen" engraved on it with great depth.

This is the token of a steward disciple of the Gold Melting Valley.

Yan remained silent for a moment, then put it into his sleeve. He then raised his hand again, and a spirit seed the size of a soybean appeared in his palm.

It was exactly the same as the Water and Fire Vine Spirit Seed obtained at the Zhiyu Hall that day.

He couldn't help but sigh softly and shook his head, saying:

"The reason why Senior Sister Zhu regards the Qing Sheng Sect as a thorn in her side is because they have occupied a piece of land suitable for cultivating water and fire vines."

"What I need to do is cultivate and plant the Water-Fire Vine, and scale it up to supply the valley..."

"I never imagined that a cultivator at the third level of Qi Refining would need to farm?"

Yan silently recalled what his senior brother Meng Lian had said back then.

"This thing generates Wu Earth, likes Gui Water, belongs to the Jia Wood category, contains Bing Fire, and is cut down by Geng Metal... For such a strange spiritual plant, the choice of cultivation site is indeed of utmost importance."

"Speaking of which, I almost forgot that there were some strange phenomena on the ground in the fragrant tree forest outside Xuchunfang. Now that I think about it, it seems to be related to that resource site."

"I don't know either. What exactly is Senior Sister Zhu planning with all this trouble and effort..."

"Could it really be to break through to the sixth level of Qi Refining?"

Yan Chen's thoughts raced, his feet moving without stopping. Suddenly, he looked up and saw a flying shuttle heading towards him.

Sister Zhu asked him to allow him to rest for a few days before issuing an imperial edict to send him to the place where the supplies were located.

The person coming down now should be the senior brother in charge who will guide him to his residence.

Yan Chen stopped abruptly, but his heart was inexplicably jolted.

Immediately afterwards, a golden light quietly appeared in his eyes, shining brightly, revealing the characters—

You have formed a karmic connection with Zhu Zhilan, the head of the Molten Gold Valley.

……