Within the Azurewood Sect, most Inner Sect Stewards were Foundation Establishment cultivators, while only those in the Late-Stage Foundation Establishment could join the Elder Council and be addressed as Elders.
"Don't be nervous," Ning Cankun said. "It's likely Elder Xu Changjun. Your recent Foundation Establishment breakthrough probably leaked out, and he's here to invite you to join the sect."
Wei Zhong remained calm, but Ning Cankun's words surprised him slightly.
Before he could ponder further, a white-bearded Daoist entered, carrying a horsetail whisk in his hand.
Ning Cankun immediately stood and bowed respectfully. "Greetings, Elder Xu."
Xu Changjun nodded, glanced at Wei Zhong, and smiled. "I never expected one of our Azurewood Sect's Market Cities to produce such a Fellow Daoist. I am Xu Changjun, and it is a pleasure to meet you."
He bowed slightly in greeting, and Wei Zhong returned the gesture with a cupped-fist salute.
"May I ask the purpose of Elder Xu's visit?" Wei Zhong inquired.
Xu Changjun smiled. "I heard of your Foundation Establishment breakthrough and came to witness it firsthand. While I'm here, I'd like to inquire if you would consider becoming a Foundation Establishment Guest Elder for our Azurewood Sect."
"A Guest Elder?" Wei Zhong asked, puzzled. He glanced at Ning Cankun, who shook his head slightly, indicating he had no prior knowledge of this matter.
"Brother Chu, please listen to Elder Xu's explanation," Ning Cankun said. "My position doesn't grant me access to sect affairs."
"Hahaha, Junior Brother Ning is right," Elder Xu chuckled.
Hearing Ning Cankun's explanation, the White-Bearded Daoist spoke warmly, "Fellow Daoist Chu, there's no need to worry about the Foundation Establishment Guest Elder position. Any Loose Cultivator who reaches Foundation Establishment will receive an invitation from our sect. Some decline, while others accept. For example, the renowned Daoist Hu Yang, a prominent figure among Loose Cultivators, is one of our sect's most esteemed Foundation Establishment Guest Elders."
Wei Zhong recalled the Foundation Establishment celebration at Luo Mingyan's, where he had seen a Foundation Establishment cultivator clad in fiery red Daoist robes.
"What benefits would I receive, and what obligations would I incur?" Wei Zhong asked.
"Becoming a Guest Elder of our sect grants you easier access to various cultivation resources, such as Medicinal Pills and magic tools, far beyond what a Loose Cultivator could typically obtain," Elder Xu explained. "As for obligations, you would need to accept missions commissioned by the sect, though these are infrequent—roughly once a decade. Each mission comes with fair compensation."
Wei Zhong frowned. "Couldn't I purchase all those resources with spirit stones?"
Elder Xu's expression remained unchanged.
"Ordinary resources might be obtainable with spirit stones, but rare treasures cannot be measured by mere spirit stones," Xu Changjun said.
A chill ran through Wei Zhong's heart as he realized this was the Azurewood Sect's blatant monopoly over cultivation knowledge.
If he hadn't fortuitously acquired the inheritance of the Spring and Autumn Water Refinement Manual, he might have been forced to become a Guest Elder to obtain an advanced cultivation technique.
No wonder Wild Plains Prefecture had cities like Han Bamboo City, havens for loose cultivators.
All of this had been beyond Wei Zhong's reach during his Qi Refining days.
After a moment of contemplation, Wei Zhong looked up and said, "I apologize, Fellow Daoist Xu. My aptitude is limited, and I am already deeply satisfied with reaching Foundation Establishment. I dare not aspire to higher realms."
Xu Changjun understood this was a polite rejection. "That's truly a pity," he sighed regretfully, bowing to Wei Zhong before turning to leave. "By the way, Fellow Daoist Chu, have you seen a sect disciple wearing a blue-and-white Daoist robe while you were out? His name is Liu Di, a First-Tier Pill Refiner from our Pill Hall."
Wei Zhong looked blank. "Liu Di? I've never heard of him."
"I see. Then I won't trouble you any further, Fellow Daoist."
Outside the courtyard, an Inner Sect disciple approached Xu Changjun.
"Elder Xu, that Spirit Farmer is lying! Senior Brother Liu was clearly tailing him when he left the sect that day. He must have..."
Before he could finish, Elder Xu swept his horsetail whisk, knocking him sprawling to the ground.
Elder Xu's stern voice echoed in his ear:
"You disgrace! You keep committing these foolish acts that tarnish our sect's reputation.
Whether or not there's proof that Chu Zhong killed our disciple is irrelevant. Even if there were, what difference would it make?
Liu Di instigated the conflict and was in the wrong to begin with. His death was self-inflicted.
Besides, Chu Zhong is a Foundation Establishment cultivator, while you're merely at Qi Refining. Stop referring to him so casually as 'Spirit Farmer.' When you see him again, bow your head and address him as 'Senior.'"
Liu Quan was stunned by Elder Xu's reprimand, so shocked that he didn't even notice the elder's departure. When he finally regained his composure, he felt utterly humiliated.
As he struggled to his feet, Chu Zhong emerged from the residence. The divine light radiating from Chu Zhong's eyes made his heart tremble, and he blurted out, "Senior!"
Wei Zhong simply grunted in acknowledgement and strode past.
Wei Zhong paid no mind to the insignificant Qi Refining cultivator, his thoughts returning to what Ning Cankun had said earlier.
"You shouldn't have rejected Elder Xu's invitation. In this region, the Azurewood Sect reigns supreme, controlling most of the resources. Even if you have no intention of pursuing cultivation and plan to focus on managing your family affairs, you should still join."
Wei Zhong shook his head, disagreeing with Ning Cankun's words.
Of course, he wasn't truly uninterested in cultivation; he was merely feigning indifference. As for managing the family, he had no such plans for the time being.
With his Kryptonite-level Life-Exchange technique granting him an almost limitless lifespan, and the spirit veins and mines within his Grotto-Heaven, Wei Zhong had far too many options.
If he needed Spirit Medicine, he could grow it himself. If he lacked magic tools or Medicinal Pills, he could refine them himself. Even without high-level cultivation manuals, his mastery over First-Tier techniques might transform the mundane into the extraordinary.
Besides, he could always leave the Azurewood Sect's territory and seek refuge in a Loose Cultivator city free from resource monopolies.
He was better off avoiding the burden of Guest Elder duties. Moreover, what if the Azurewood Sect assigned him a perilous mission that could cost him his life?
With these thoughts in mind, rejection was the only sensible choice.
Wei Zhong's immediate priority was to find a spirit ground, preferably a Second-Tier one with a body of water.
Having reached the Foundation Establishment stage, he could now begin practicing the various secret techniques of the Spring and Autumn Water Refinement Manual. As its name suggested, the manual naturally revolved around water.
He went to the Market City's mission board and posted a notice seeking to lease a spirit ground.
"Second-Tier preferred, but First-Tier will do in a pinch..."
Returning to the small courtyard in his Spirit Field, he retrieved Nine-Colored from its perch on a branch. Noticing the dampness on its feathers, Wei Zhong remarked, "Looks like you had a good time with Big Gold."
With a flap of its wings, Nine-Colored summoned wisps of spiritual energy that swirled around its body, quickly drying its feathers.
Wei Zhong exclaimed in surprise, "Oh, another trick! Who knew this motley parrot had so many hidden talents? Too bad you're so small—you'd never make a proper mount."
With that, Wei Zhong grabbed Nine-Colored. The parrot struggled to escape, but Wei Zhong's spiritual energy swiftly restrained it.
"Don't tell me you have a growth spell up your sleeve! Quick, show me!"
Wei Zhong shook Nine-Colored vigorously, even to the point of dizziness, but the bird showed no signs of transforming. Disappointed, he placed it back on the branch and muttered to himself:
"It seems I'll have to wait until it reaches the Second-Tier before trying again."
As Wei Zhong turned to head back inside, he sensed a Foundation Establishment aura rapidly approaching.
"This Daoist is Hu Yang, here to congratulate Fellow Daoist on your successful Foundation Establishment."
Wei Zhong's eyes flickered momentarily before he stepped outside and greeted Hu Yang with a cupped-fist salute. "Senior Hu, please come in."
Hu Yang had achieved Foundation Establishment many years ago and was now at the Late-Stage Foundation Establishment realm. Wei Zhong's respectful address was entirely appropriate.
After inviting Hu Yang into the courtyard, Wei Zhong promptly set out a stone table and benches, then arranged spirit food and wine upon them.
Hu Yang placed his gift on the table. "It's only a small token of my respect."
"Senior Hu is too kind," Wei Zhong replied.
The two settled down to drink and chat.
"To be frank, Old Brother," Hu Yang said, "I've come for the Foundation Establishment Pill you possess."
"Oh?" Wei Zhong's eyes glinted subtly.
"Your search for an alchemist is no secret among us Foundation Establishment cultivators. In fact, it's now circulating widely within the Azurewood Sect's Pill Hall. After all, successfully refining two pills—one high-grade and one mid-grade—would be an extraordinary achievement for Pill Master Qi Yun. Since you used one for your own Foundation Establishment, you must still have another."