Chapter 133: Chapter 102: Shifting Stars

After announcing his name and purpose, a disciple quickly led him into a side hall.

An old man with a gaunt face and a gentle expression sat inside, dressed in the deep cyan robes of an Elder.

This was Elder Zhao, the one in charge of personnel assignments at the Affairs Department.

“Disciple Chen Qing pays his respects to Elder Zhao,” Chen Qing said, bowing respectfully.

Elder Zhao’s gaze swept over Chen Qing, and he nodded slightly. “Yes, have a seat.”

“Thank you, Elder.”

Once Chen Qing was seated, Elder Zhao picked up a register, flipping through it as he spoke. “Chen Qing. Nineteen years old. Disciple of the Cyan Wood Institute. Newly advanced to the Embracing Pill realm.”

“There aren’t many positions that have opened up recently…”

Chen Qing’s heart tightened. ’Please don’t tell me I’m going to be sent to the mines.’

“Well, your luck seems to be pretty good.”

Suddenly, Elder Zhao’s hands stilled, and he smiled. “The Nanzhe No. 7 Fishery. It’s rather far from the Sect, but the Treasure Fish there grow quite well. The previous Steward was transferred, leaving the position open. Are you willing to take it?”

Upon hearing this, Chen Qing immediately cupped his fist. “I am willing!”

Elder Zhao retrieved a palm-sized Profound Iron Token etched with “Nanze 7” and a dossier, handing them to Chen Qing. “This is your Steward Token and the Fishery’s dossier. With the Token, you can freely enter and exit the Fishery and requisition some of its resources. The dossier contains details about the Fishery, its personnel, annual yields, and other important points. Be sure to study it thoroughly.”

Next, he brought out a silk pouch and an exquisite Jade Box. “This is your monthly stipend as a Steward: one thousand two hundred taels of silver. There are two types of Elixirs. The first is the Truth Condensing Pill. You get three per month. They are specially refined for those at the Embracing Pill Force realm and contain a gentle, pure Plant Essence Qi. Consuming them can accelerate the condensation and growth of your True Qi. It’s a foundational Elixir for Embracing Pill Force Cultivation.”

He then pointed to three other pills of a different color. “These are Quenching Essence Pills, also three per month. This Pill’s main purpose is to temper your True Qi, purge impurities, and enhance its purity and resilience. It will make your foundation more solid and is slightly effective for breaking through minor bottlenecks. Using both types of pills together yields even better results.”

“Thank you, Elder!”

Chen Qing accepted the Token, the dossier, and the stipend.

’This is so much better than what I was getting before!’

One thousand two hundred taels of silver was already a huge sum, but the six Elixirs were even more precious.

The Truth Condensing Pills increased the amount of one’s True Qi, while the Quenching Essence Pills improved its quality. Both were rare, high-grade Elixirs.

“Go on,”

Elder Zhao waved his hand. “From this day forward, you are the Steward of the Nanzhe No. 7 Fishery. The Fishery is located on the south shore of Dingbo Lake; there’s a map in the dossier. You must report for duty within three days. If there is anything you don’t understand, you can consult the dossier or ask the disciple on duty at the Affairs Department. Remember, the position of Steward comes with responsibility. Do not slack off.”

“I understand. I will do my utmost to fulfill my duties!”

Chen Qing bowed solemnly and left the Affairs Department.

…

「Rolls Pavilion.」

The twilight filtered through the window lattice.

Nie Shanshan stepped lightly into the Rolls Pavilion, her moon-white martial attire spotless.

She was here to retrieve a copy of a roll for her master, Chu Jinyun.

The scent of paper and ink filled the pavilion.

Zhu Ping, the steward in charge of registration and archiving, was engrossed at her desk, focused on a register of changes to the Inner Courtyard Disciples’ information.

She was so focused that she didn’t immediately notice Nie Shanshan’s arrival.

Nie Shanshan walked up to the desk. “Junior Sister Zhu, I need a copy of the roll detailing the Infinite Demon Sect’s recent activities.”

Zhu Ping looked up with a start. Seeing it was Nie Shanshan, she quickly put down her brush and rose. “Senior Sister Nie! Please wait a moment.”

She hurried over to a nearby ironwood archive rack, skillfully pulled out a sealed leather tube, and presented it with both hands. “Senior Sister, here is the copy. It has been sealed according to regulations.”

“Thank you.”

Nie Shanshan accepted the tube and asked casually, “What were you looking at just now? You were so focused.”

“I was looking at the new list of changes for the Inner Courtyard Disciples.”

Zhu Ping replied with a smile, “The Cyan Wood Institute had someone make a good showing this month. His name is Chen Qing… that disciple from Gaolin County with the Four Forms Root Bone. He actually reached the Embracing Pill realm? It’s really… not easy.”

To reach the Embracing Pill realm in less than two years with a Four Forms Root Bone… that was considered fast even in the Wutai Sect.

’That name sounds a little familiar… Chen Qing.’

Nie Shanshan’s gaze fell upon the register in front of Zhu Ping. Those two words stood out clearly.

Then she remembered.

Nie Shanshan had an excellent memory.

She clearly recalled that when her master, Chu Jinyun, was selecting disciples, she had singled out this Chen Qing’s name.

’Four Forms Root Bone, reached Transmutation Force at eighteen, Fist Technique at Perfection… Her master’s evaluation of him had been quite good at the time; she had even been inclined to choose him.’

But in the end, because of an unrepaid debt of gratitude to an old acquaintance, her master had given up on Chen Qing and chosen the slightly less qualified Zhang Rui.

But now, this piece of news she’d overheard from Zhu Ping struck her like a silent clap of thunder.

’Embracing Pill Force!’

’In the Cyan Wood Institute!’

’The Cyan Wood Institute, famous for its “hands-off” approach!’

’No guidance, and he had to acquire all resources on his own!’

’And yet, in such a short time, he had forcefully broken through a threshold that countless others could never reach!’

Zhu Ping’s remark that it was “not easy” was a massive understatement, and Nie Shanshan knew the true weight behind his achievement.

It could hardly be summarized by the two words “not easy.”

’What kind of astonishing perseverance did that require?’

’What an unyielding will?’

Compared to Zhang Rui, who was still hovering at the Transmutation Force realm, the difference was like night and day.

A thread of indescribable regret quietly crept into Nie Shanshan’s heart.

“Yes, to make such progress in the Cyan Wood Institute is rare indeed.”

Nie Shanshan’s voice was steady. Her gaze had already shifted from the register back to the tube in her hand. “You can get back to your work, Junior Sister Zhu.”

She gave a slight nod, said nothing more, and turned to leave.

Zhu Ping watched Nie Shanshan’s departing figure and blinked.

’Senior Sister Nie’s reaction… seemed a little too calm?’

’But then again, who was Senior Sister Nie?’

’A genius of the Gui Water Institute, one who had achieved Sword Heart Clarity. Why would a newly advanced Embracing Pill disciple from the Cyan Wood Institute, no matter how special, truly catch her eye?’

…

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep