A Loose Cultivator's Path to Longevity

The average Loose Cultivator’s cultivation was only at the Early-stage Qi Refining, and most hadn’t mastered any of the Hundred Skills of Cultivation. In that situation, earning Contribution Points would be incredibly slow. They’d probably have to slave away for the Luoyun Sect for a lifetime just to exchange for a foundational book on Magic Techniques like this one.

And even if they finally got the book, they’d likely be too old to use it themselves. Their only option would be to pass it on to their descendants.

’This is the reality for low-level Loose Cultivators.’ Lü Zhong had a sudden realization.

It would take the painstaking efforts of six generations to raise a single Sect Disciple, thereby elevating the family’s or clan’s status and improving their standing in the Cultivation Realm.

Life as a Loose Cultivator was truly bitter, a fact Lü Zhong knew from personal experience.

If not for that basic book on Talisman Making from Li Dong, which taught him how to analyze and learn about Talismans from their fundamental principles, he never would have successfully mastered the Qingyang Body Protection Secret Talisman. He would have been trapped in the rat race with the droves of Talisman Makers in the Workshop Market, toiling day and night just to earn cultivation resources. The pittance of hard-earned Spirit Stones he would have made wouldn’t have been enough to support his Spiritual Universe Dharma Body’s cultivation, let alone satisfy his need for Origin-Nurturing Pills.

And now, because his foundation in Magic Techniques was weak, he was forced to find a way to shore it up.

In comparison, Sect Disciples had it so much better.

They not only had sets of carefully selected and complementary Cultivation Techniques to choose from, but also a supporting system to guide their development step by step. It was said that Sect elders even gave regular sermons to help disciples solve any problems or confusion they encountered in their cultivation.

One could say that Sect Disciples walked a smooth path. The road ahead had already been cleared by their predecessors, and they could achieve success simply by following the established steps.

It was nothing like being a Loose Cultivator, who had to grope their way forward through trial and error.

Sighing, Lü Zhong walked toward the Ten Thousand Laws Pavilion.

He made some inquiries, and the result was no surprise. Much like the Mingfa Tower, the Ten Thousand Laws Pavilion also required you to become a "Temporary Worker" and accumulate Contribution Points. This was necessary to obtain foundational texts on subjects like Magic Techniques, Talisman Making, or Alchemy, or to purchase High-tier Spells for the Qi Refining Stage and special Magic Skills like the "Object Control Skill."

It was just that compared to the Luoyun Sect, the conditions at the Ten Thousand Laws Pavilion seemed less harsh.

There were four main ways to earn Contribution Points at the Ten Thousand Laws Pavilion.

First, one could submit a proposal for improving or modifying an existing Magic Technique. If it passed the Ten Thousand Laws Pavilion’s verification, one would receive a substantial number of Contribution Points—enough to directly exchange for a foundational text.

Lü Zhong didn’t even consider this route. He was well aware of his own capabilities.

Second, one could turn in various Magic Technique texts, lost Magic Skills, or the lifelong insights of a certain cultivator. The texts also had to be verified by the Ten Thousand Laws Pavilion, and submitting duplicates would not earn any Contribution Points.

Lü Zhong read this and immediately moved on to the next option.

Third, one could take a position within the Ten Thousand Laws Pavilion. There were two types: Tributor and Honored Guest Elder. A Tributor needed to be stationed at the Ten Thousand Laws Pavilion permanently, responsible for resolving disputes at various branches, escorting texts, and so on. An Honored Guest Elder, on the other hand, held a nominal position and was usually free to do as they pleased. However, if the Ten Thousand Laws Pavilion required their assistance, they could not easily refuse.

Regarding the acquisition of Contribution Points, taking a cultivator at Mid-stage Qi Refining as an example:

To accumulate enough Contribution Points for a single foundational text as a Tributor, without any extra income, would take three years. As an Honored Guest Elder, it would take five years. However, if one performed tasks for the Ten Thousand Laws Pavilion, they could earn additional Contribution Points and shorten the accumulation time.

’An Honored Guest Elder, hmm?’ Lü Zhong continued reading.

The final method was to spend Spirit Stones within the Ten Thousand Laws Pavilion, which could be converted into Contribution Points.

He did a quick calculation and immediately extinguished the thought.

’This option is for the nouveau riche. It has nothing to do with a Loose Cultivator like me who only has a small surplus of wealth.’

After thinking it over, Lü Zhong decided to become an Honored Guest Elder at the Ten Thousand Laws Pavilion. This way, aside from occasionally handling matters for the Pavilion, his regular cultivation wouldn’t be delayed. At most, it would just take up some of his Talisman Making time.

’If it takes up some time, so be it.’

He was very clear-headed about it.

’Talisman Making is just a means to acquire Spirit Stones, same as being an Honored Guest Elder to obtain foundational Magic Technique texts. Neither can be allowed to interfere with the ultimate goal—raising my own Realm. Otherwise, I’d be putting the cart before the horse.’

After telling the Receptionist his decision, Lü Zhong was politely invited to the second floor of the Ten Thousand Laws Pavilion.

The furnishings upstairs were different from the main hall on the first floor. The ostentatious, luxurious decor meant to flaunt wealth and power was gone. The expensive-looking counters and grand, imposing painted curtains were replaced with an understated luxury. For instance, an inconspicuous incense burner in the corner was burning incense that had a calming and spirit-soothing effect.

Lü Zhong had been thinking of buying some incense for a while. He couldn’t help but look at the maid who had led him upstairs, his gaze sweeping over her graceful figure, which was covered by only a thin layer of gauze. He asked curiously, "How many Spirit Stones would it cost to buy incense like this?"

"Replying to Immortal Master, the Soothing Incense is not for sale," the maid replied with a slight bow, her words respectful.

"It’s merely a bit of incense. I can take the liberty of gifting you a box, Fellow Daoist." As an elegant male voice spoke, a refined, middle-aged man in a green Daoist Robe walked over.

He wore a smile and clasped his hands in a salute. "I am Gao Xuan, the Shopkeeper of the Ten Thousand Laws Pavilion here in Yanling Mountain. May I ask for your name, Fellow Daoist?"

"Lü Zhong," Lü Zhong answered truthfully.

’It’s not that I’m a fool. The Ten Thousand Laws Pavilion is simply too powerful, with an unimaginable force backing it. Rather than making up a name and being suspected of ulterior motives, it’s better to be honest. That might earn me more trust.’

"Ah, so it is Talisman Master Lü. Please, have a seat over here!"

Gao Xuan smiled as he led Lü Zhong to a seat, then instructed the maid beside them, "Go, brew a pot of the newly arrived Yunxi Spring Tea!"

"Fellow Daoist wishes to become an Honored Guest Elder of the Ten Thousand Laws Pavilion, a prospect which our Pavilion naturally welcomes with open arms. However, I’ve heard that Talisman Master Lü is doing this to exchange for a foundational text on Magic Techniques. May I ask if this is true?" Gao Xuan said politely, lightly lifting his sleeve and resting his hand on the armrest.

"That’s right," Lü Zhong nodded, then asked in confusion, "Is there a problem?"

"No, it’s just that I have a better suggestion." Gao Xuan laughed heartily and cut straight to the chase. "I have long heard that Talisman Master Lü is skilled at making the Qingyang Body Protection Secret Talisman. Why don’t you compile your experience and insights regarding this talisman into a book and exchange it with our Pavilion for a Magic Technique text?"

Hearing this, Lü Zhong fell silent, lost in thought.

Every trade has its own rules. He was no novice Talisman Maker, and had long known that the business of Talisman Making also had some unwritten rules. One of them was that one must not compile books of Talisman-Making Insights.

In other words, a Talisman Maker could write a *Talisman Making Book*—like the Qinghe Scholar’s *Common Talisman Making Skill*, or Feng Yuan of the Qingyang Sect’s book on making the *Qingyang Body Protection Secret Talisman*. They could even teach others how to make Talismans one-on-one after charging a hefty sum of Spirit Stones, just as Li Dong had done.

The only thing they could not do was compile a book of their personal Talisman-Making Insights.

Similar unwritten rules also existed among Alchemists and Artifact Refiners.

Lü Zhong didn’t know what the consequences would be for violating this rule. After all, there was no Talisman Master Guild in the Yanling Mountain Market. However, he could guess the purpose behind Gao Xuan’s words. It was likely a probe and a test.

’If the probe succeeds, the Ten Thousand Laws Pavilion gets the Talisman-Making Insights for the Qingyang Body Protection Secret Talisman. They can then resell and distribute it through their own channels, definitely earning a huge amount of Spirit Stones.’

’And if I pass the test, they can get a preliminary confirmation of my character, saving them some effort on vetting me.’

’As expected of the Shopkeeper of the Ten Thousand Laws Pavilion,’ Lü Zhong sighed inwardly.

Just then, the sound of light footsteps came from outside. The maid from before had returned, carrying an antique-looking tea tray. On the tray sat a teapot and several teacups, all of which were rare and exquisite items.

The tray, teapot, and teacups weren’t the main point. The main point was the rich aroma of the tea.

"Fellow Daoist can take your time to think, but you simply must try this Yunxi Spring Tea. This tea is also a special product of our Pavilion, and there’s no way to get it elsewhere. Not only is the Yunxi Spring Tea excellent in both aroma and color, but it is also a Spirit Tea rich in Grass and Wood Spiritual Qi. I, too, have you to thank for this opportunity to taste it."

Gao Xuan said with a smile, lifting his teacup.

He first took a small sip, an expression of enjoyment appearing on his face.

Lü Zhong, for his part, also took a sip.

The tea rolled down his throat into his stomach, and wisps of Pure Spiritual Energy diffused from it. They were immediately refined and absorbed by his Four Spirits Technique, actually causing a noticeable improvement in his cultivation—equivalent to a full day of normal painstaking practice.

"How is it? Not bad, right?" Gao Xuan said with a smile, setting down his empty teacup.

"Indeed," Lü Zhong nodded.

There was no denying it; the Yunxi Spring Tea was truly Top Grade.

A full cup of this Spirit Tea could boost one’s cultivation by an amount equivalent to half a month of hard practice.