In the days that followed, Lin Changsheng kept a very low profile.
His daily routine was simple and repetitive.
Cafeteria, residence, Scripture Library.
He was like a dry sponge, desperately absorbing all the knowledge about this world.
Cultivation theories, elixir knowledge, Dharma artifact introductions, monster beast types...
The more he read, the more grateful he was for the decision he made initially.
This world was far more dangerous than he had imagined.
Cultivators could draw swords and fight to the death over a single spirit herb or a cultivation technique.
Demonic cultivators treated human life as worthless, often slaughtering entire cities and towns to practice their evil arts.
Not to mention the powerful monster beasts lurking in the deep mountains and ancient ruins filled with unknown dangers.
In such an environment, an "outsider" with a treasure would face dire consequences if exposed.
Lin Changsheng had no intention of becoming someone else's prey.
Thus, he disguised himself even more thoroughly.
In the eyes of others, he was just a silent, mediocre, but somewhat bookish Outer Sect Disciple.
He diligently went to the Scripture Library every day to "study," yet his cultivation remained stagnant at the first level of Qi Refining, showing no progress.
This made many who had previously envied him secretly breathe a sigh of relief.
***
"I told you, he just got lucky and happened to induce Qi into his body."
"Yeah, it's been almost a month, and he's still at the first level of Qi Refining. His talent is worse than mine."
"Looks like we overestimated him. Someone like him can forget about reaching Foundation Establishment in this lifetime."
Even Zhang Yang, who had been "accidentally" tripped by him before, gradually lost interest in Lin Changsheng after seeing him blend into the crowd.
After all, stepping on a true waste didn't bring much satisfaction.
Lin Changsheng paid no attention to these rumors.
He wished everyone would see him as a waste.
Only then could he quietly develop in his small courtyard.
In a month's time, he read during the day and "cultivated" at night.
With the aid of mind power and his extraordinary self-healing ability, his cultivation advanced by leaps and bounds.
Now, he had long surpassed the mid-stage of Qi Refining, reaching the terrifying realm of the seventh level of Qi Refining.
He was just one step away from the late stage of Qi Refining.
If this speed were to be revealed, it would be enough to make the Sect Master of Qingyun Sect crawl out of bed overnight and beg him to become the Holy Son.
But Lin Changsheng felt nothing about it.
He even thought it was a bit slow.
Because he discovered that as his cultivation improved, simply absorbing the Spiritual Qi of Heaven and Earth was becoming increasingly inefficient.
He needed higher-grade energy.
For example, elixirs and spirit stones.
And these things required Sect Contribution Points to exchange for.
"It seems it's time to go out and earn some extra money."
Lin Changsheng stroked his chin, pondering.
There were two ways for Outer Sect Disciples to earn Contribution Points.
One was to work in various sect industries, such as the pill room, artifact workshop, or spirit fields.
This method was stable but offered meager income.
The other was to go to the Mission Hall and take on various tasks issued by the sect.
The risks and rewards of tasks were far higher than working.
Naturally, Lin Changsheng leaned towards the second option.
However, before that, he had one more thing to do.
That was to find himself a spirit field.
Every Outer Sect Disciple was entitled to a free, low-grade spirit field, spanning the size of two standard football pitches.
Although the yield was not high, the spirit grain produced was better than nothing.
Moreover, owning a spirit field was a symbol of an Outer Sect Disciple's identity, and he couldn't break with tradition.
***
On this day, he went to the External Affairs Hall.
This was the place responsible for managing all the miscellaneous affairs of the Outer Sect Disciples.
Allocating spirit fields was one of them.
The External Affairs Hall was bustling with people and very noisy.
Lin Changsheng queued for a long time before it was his turn.
The person in charge of registration was a middle-aged manager with a goatee, named Wang.
"Name, cultivation level."
Steward Wang didn't even look up, his tone indifferent.
"Disciple Lin Changsheng, first level of Qi Refining."
Lin Changsheng replied respectfully.
Upon hearing "first level of Qi Refining," Steward Wang's eyebrows twitched almost imperceptibly.
He lifted his eyelids, glanced at Lin Changsheng, and a trace of impatience flashed in his eyes.
"New here? Hand over your identification wood plate."
Lin Changsheng handed over the wood plate.
Steward Wang took it, glanced at it, tossed it aside, then pulled out a wood slip from a pile and threw it to Lin Changsheng.
"District D, Spirit Field No. 9527, find it yourself."
His attitude was full of perfunctory and disdain.
Lin Changsheng took the wood slip, his brow slightly furrowed.
Before coming, he had also checked the information in the Scripture Library.
The Outer Sect's spirit fields were divided into four districts: A, B, C, and D.
District A was the best, District D the worst.
The spirit fields in District D were mostly barren, with thin spiritual energy, some even close to reverting to ordinary soil.
Moreover, the number 9527 sounded like a bad location.
Usually, it would be in the most remote corner.
"Steward Wang, could I..."
Lin Changsheng wanted to argue.
"What are you babbling about? Go where you're told!"
Steward Wang glared, impatiently waving his hand.
"Next!"
The disciple behind Lin Changsheng immediately pushed him aside.
Lin Changsheng looked at Steward Wang's arrogant face, his heart calm.
He knew that such people existed everywhere.
Bullying the weak and fearing the strong, judging people by their appearance.
His "first level of Qi Refining" cultivation and newcomer status had obviously become reasons for the other party to take advantage.
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Arguing with him was meaningless.
Lin Changsheng held the wood slip, silently turned, and left.
As he stepped out of the External Affairs Hall's door.
He saw the disciple who had been behind him in line, smiling and handing Steward Wang a small pouch.
Steward Wang discreetly accepted it, weighed it, and his expression immediately softened.
He picked up another wood slip, handed it to the disciple, and even patted his shoulder, whispering a few words.
The disciple nodded and bowed, thanking him profusely as he left.
Lin Changsheng glanced at the wood slip in his hand.
It read: District C, No. 103.
Lin Changsheng said nothing, but his eyes grew a shade colder.
He understood now.
Good spirit fields required "tribute."
He didn't want to cause trouble, but he also didn't like being treated like a fool.
It seemed that some troubles couldn't be avoided.
Lin Changsheng clenched his fist, feeling the surging power within him, a cold smile playing at the corner of his mouth.
His current goal was longevity.
On the path to longevity, he didn't mind clearing away some obstacles.
Be they people or rules.
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