Starting as a Talisman Master

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After leaving the Outer Affairs Pavilion, Lu Chi and Tao Feng returned to Baicao Peak along the bluestone plank road.

During the journey, Tao Feng reverted to his usual enthusiastic nature, talking incessantly about all the important places and rules of the sect for Lu Chi.

It turns out that Taiqing Palace has a profound foundation. Inside the gate, there is not only the "Wanfa Pavilion" which stores thousands of martial arts techniques and secret arts, and the "Juling Secret Mansion" where disciples can go into seclusion to break through realms, but also the "Debate Platform" which is specially set up for disciples to exchange skills and settle grudges.

In addition, in the deep valley where the seven peaks converge, the sect has also set up a "Spirit Ruins Market" for disciples from each peak to exchange goods and trade rare treasures.

If you can't find what you want even in the Lingxu Market, you can go down the mountain to the Taiqing Immortal City to buy it.

However, the Taiqing Palace is extremely strict in guarding against spies from the demonic path. Any newly initiated disciple must not step out of the great formation for three years.

Only by enduring the three-year observation period and clearing themselves of suspicion of being an undercover agent can they freely go up and down the mountain with the jade token.

Lu Chi nodded slightly, his expression calm and composed, clearly well aware of such methods of identification.

A righteous sect like Taiqing Palace is a target of envy and disdain. Without such strict rules, it would be looked down upon.

Moreover, three years of confinement was nothing more than a few periods of seclusion for a seasoned ascetic like him, a man accustomed to weathering storms, and not a difficult thing to endure.

Before long, the two returned to Baicao Peak.

Lu Chi took off his old clothes in the side hall and put on the gray cloth Taoist robe of the outer sect.

Although this robe appears plain, it is still a low-grade Buddhist robe that is impervious to water and fire.

Lu Chi was already tall and straight, and after changing into this outfit, he appeared even more composed and dignified.

As an outer sect steward of Hundred Herbs Peak, Old Man Gu has the authority to allocate the spiritual fields in this area.

Seeing Lu Chi return after changing into his robes, he stood before the steps of the thatched cottage, took out an ancient bronze array plate from his sleeve, and pointed at it with his finger.

They actually set aside a two-acre second-tier spirit field on the sunny side of the spirit field, along with a quiet, secluded courtyard next to the field, and allocated it to Lu Chi.

"This plot of land, designated as Jia No. 7, will be under your management from now on. The restrictions on the courtyard have been lifted; you may enter and exit with your jade token."

Tao Feng, standing to the side, stared wide-eyed, almost biting his tongue, his round face filled with envy.

It should be noted that in the outer gate of Hundred Herbs Peak, newly entered disciples usually share a vast first-tier field with a dozen or so of them.

Not only are there many people and a lot of mixed spiritual energy, but if the medicinal herbs are damaged on the day of harvest, the victims will often be held jointly responsible, and the slightest mistake will result in the loss of most of the usual amount.

On ordinary days, there are constant conflicts among the disciples over the few drops of spiritual spring water.

However, these separately designated independent spiritual fields are completely different.

Firstly, it is enclosed by an array, so there is no need to compete with others for the surrounding spiritual energy, and it is undisturbed by others, making it the most peaceful and carefree place.

These two aspects are also what people envy the most.

Although sects have a fixed annual tribute assessment for independent spirit fields, if the spirit farmers are skilled and take excellent care of the spirit plants, they can legitimately keep any extra spirit herbs for their own use when the harvest is at the end of the year, as long as they have paid the quota. Alternatively, they can take them to the spirit market to exchange for a large amount of spirit stones.

Such lucrative positions, which can be described as treasure troves, have always been reserved for veterans who have been immersed in this field for many years and are highly regarded by the stewards.

Old Man Gu's extraordinary favor today clearly shows that he is extremely satisfied with Lu Chi's ability to diagnose illnesses by observing qi, and this is a special attempt to win him over and test him.

Lu Chi was perfectly aware of the situation, though he didn't show it on his face. In his heart, he was well aware of the advantages and disadvantages behind this extraordinary "gift".

A tree that stands out in the forest will surely be felled by the wind. Such a lucrative independent spiritual field, falling into the hands of a newly arrived disciple, will inevitably attract the covetousness and envy of those within the peak, causing trouble out of thin air.

However, when faced with two evils, choose the lesser one.

He has many secrets, whether it's the ancient inherited techniques, the trump cards he's accumulated along the way, or the many methods that must never be revealed to outsiders, all of which are best kept away from too many people.

Having such a secluded courtyard, isolated by such a formation and undisturbed, for quiet cultivation is exactly the kind of place he has been longing for.

As for the potential infighting and backstabbing among fellow disciples that might follow, he didn't take it to heart.

The Taiqing Palace has strict rules and regulations. Those who have completed the Foundation Establishment or major repairs reside in the inner gate, while the vast outer gate is entirely occupied by Qi Refining stage cultivators.

He has now reached the seventh level of Qi Refining, possessing a nascent divine sense and numerous trump cards for killing. If there were any petty villains who harbored jealousy and hatred and wanted to cause trouble, he would not have been afraid in the slightest.

After explaining the land distribution, Old Man Gu casually reminded Lu Chi of a few rules about the mountain:

"The forbidden area behind Hundred Herbs Peak is the Peak Master's place of seclusion and cultivation. It is absolutely forbidden to trespass on ordinary days. In addition, there are dozens of Foundation Establishment senior uncles in seclusion on the peak year-round, tending to spiritual herbs. Unless summoned, one must not go to disturb or cause trouble."

Having said that, he picked up his teacup, his intention to see the guest out was clear, and he had no further intention of probing into Lu Chi's past or background.

On Hundred Herbs Peak alone, there are dozens of Foundation Establishment cultivators... Lu Chi's heart stirred, and he wisely took his leave. Afterwards, he solemnly cupped his hands to Tao Feng to thank him for guiding and reminding him.

Tao Feng, being very perceptive, chuckled, exchanged a few pleasantries, and then left on his own, leaving Lu Chi to familiarize himself with the new residence.

Following the aura of the jade tablet, Lu Chi soon found his residence.

The courtyard was quiet and secluded. Pushing open the door, the bamboo couch and wooden table inside were spotless, indicating that someone had been living there for a long time and had just vacated the house.

Lu Chi did not rush to rest, but first used the jade token to carefully examine the isolation restrictions inside and outside the courtyard. Only after confirming that the formation was operating smoothly and there were no hidden spying patterns did he feel completely at ease.

Passing through the small courtyard, the array behind them swirled, revealing the two acres of sun-facing second-tier spirit fields.

Lu Chi stepped inside and found the spiritual field empty and the soil freshly turned. Although it was filled with spiritual energy, not a single spiritual plant had been planted there.

Slightly surprised, he returned to the house to investigate carefully, and finally found an unclaimed gray cloth storage bag in a hidden compartment of the wooden bed.

A quick scan with divine sense revealed that it contained dozens of second-tier spiritual seeds with concealed spiritual energy, categorized into different types.

It turns out that he was supposed to start planting in field number 7 of the Jia class from scratch.

Lu Chi held the storage bag and suddenly realized what was going on.

It is unknown whether the previous owner of this place violated the sect rules and was stripped of his post and disappeared, or whether he was lucky enough to establish his foundation and enter the inner sect. He left so cleanly that even the spirit field has been leveled and cleared.

However, seeing this situation filled him with genuine joy.

After his [Spirit Farmer] profession was upgraded, he could only gain experience by personally planting and cultivating second-tier spirit plants.

When he was hiding in Taiqing Immortal City, he was able to search for enough second-tier spirit seeds in various shops for upgrading. However, such a large amount of spirit stones would have cost him a lot of money.

The sect has just given away a batch of top-quality second-tier spirit seeds, which is an excellent opportunity.

What shocked him even more was that, while carefully counting these spiritual seeds, he actually identified several rather rare spiritual herb seeds among them.

These medicinal herbs are exactly the same as the auxiliary ingredients recorded in the ancient formula for the Foundation Building Pill in his hand!

In addition, he had already gathered the three main ingredients by chance in his early years, so all the spiritual herbs needed to refine the Foundation Establishment Pill were now in place.

Lu Chi gripped the storage bag tightly, his gaze deep and unfathomable.

A major sect like Taiqing Palace, which is a Nascent Soul cultivator, naturally has no shortage of spiritual medicines for breaking through realms, such as Foundation Establishment Pills.

However, with a large number of outer sect disciples practicing Qi Refining, and a shortage of resources, obtaining a Foundation Establishment Pill from the sect would be extremely difficult, and the open and covert struggles among fellow disciples would likely be fierce.

Now that he has the ancient formula in hand and has gathered all the necessary medicinal herbs, he can avoid the bloody infighting among sects and refine the herbs himself. In this way, he will not only avoid being at the mercy of others, but also save himself from countless dangers and troubles.

With this in mind, Lu Chi did not rush to tend to the two acres of spirit fields. Instead, he carefully put the storage bag away and returned to the house, where he sat cross-legged on the meditation cushion.

Calming himself down, he slowly exhaled a long breath and began to silently process what had happened that day.

Truly, life is unpredictable. By sheer chance, I found myself so naturally and naturally joining the Taiqing Palace, a lineage with a Nascent Soul ancestor presiding over it.

If nothing unexpected happens, he will be able to live a peaceful and quiet life here for a long time to come.

It's good to take shelter under a big tree. Back in the Qingque Mountain market, or in those ordinary forces with only Foundation Establishment cultivators in charge, he possessed a panel and many methods. If he revealed too much, he would be like a bright light in the dark, attracting greedy eyes and the danger of being killed.

In such a profound and unfathomable cultivation sect, geniuses and prodigies are as numerous as carp crossing a river. His displayed mastery of spiritual plants is but a drop in the ocean, attracting no attention at all, and instead becoming an excellent cover.

As his thoughts drifted, Lu Chi suddenly paused. Upon closer reflection, it had been almost a year since he had hastily left Qingque Mountain.

It seems that the turmoil surrounding the deaths of Shen Yuanheng and Luo Wenshan, as well as the grand ceremony at Qixia Sect, should have long since faded into the dust of time, becoming just another piece of old news for people to enjoy in the marketplace.

As he silently counted the days on his fingers, he suddenly realized that he had forgotten his birthday again.

My 21st birthday, according to the traditional Chinese age reckoning, passed by quietly amidst constant upheaval and displacement.

I still remember last year when Zhou Jinyan was excitedly organizing several fellow Daoists to gather together to raise a toast to his birthday, laughing and chatting happily, it feels like just yesterday.

But now, the mountains are high and the rivers are long, and old friends are scattered in different places, making it difficult to meet again.

Lu Chi lowered his eyes, concealing the fleeting melancholy in them, his mind returning to a calm, still state. The path to immortality is long and arduous, a journey against the current, with scenery along the way fleeting and encounters as ephemeral as duckweed. Perhaps... that's how it is.