Li Changfeng put away the Spirit Testing Disc, glanced at it carefully, and nodded slightly:
"Congratulations, Junior Brother. You can exchange for the Fourth-Layer Thick Earth Technique and enjoy sect discounts. Now you can cast the Small Cloud Rain Technique."
Magical power circulated orderly within the Immortal Vein, the dharma seal in hand shifting gracefully, a special rhythm pervading the open space overhead.
As Ji An lightly raised his arm, white mist gathered, followed by rain lines forming a bead curtain, diffusing misty water vapor.
"Good!"
Li Changfeng praised, judging from the area covered by the magic, it was evident the magic had reached the Great Success level.
Moreover, he sensed a distinct flavor in the spirit rain, indicating this Junior Brother had his unique insight into the Small Cloud Rain Technique.
The two returned to the Miscellaneous Affairs Hall, Li Changfeng cupped his hands:
"Junior Brother, please wait a moment while I check what discounts you can receive."
"Oh, Senior Brother, are the discount policies different?"
Ji An was happy inside; does this mean he should receive more favorable treatment than Old Huang?
"Of course, how can a forty-year-old disciple who comprehends the Great Success level of magic be the same as a twenty-year-old one?"
Li Changfeng held the Jade Token, placing it on a white Spirit Disc, reading the information within the token.
His eyes slightly narrowed but quickly recovered, his expression revealing no emotion.
Ji An pondered how much discount he might receive; Old Huang's Small Cloud Rain Technique cost 500 Contribution Points, to be paid over ten years. If he got a discount, 300 Contribution Points over twenty years wouldn't be too much, would it?!
"Congratulations, Junior Brother Ji," Li Changfeng returned the Jade Token:
"According to sect rules, Junior Brother can exchange for the Fourth-Layer Technique of two spells, each requiring only 200 Contribution Points."
He paused, then added:
"You can repay over forty years."
Whoa, the sect is generous indeed.
Ji An's sense of belonging to the sect rose once again; 200 Contribution Points, equivalent to ten Spirit Stones, was not cheap, but being able to pay over 40 years, the significance was different.
Suddenly, he thought of a very practical problem he forgot to ask Old Huang during their chat.
"Senior Brother, if I repay over 40 years, do I need to pay extra Contribution Points?"
"No need, the sect has always been generous in rewarding talents. Once the agreement is signed, Junior Brother can take the spells with you.
I must emphasize an important rule again; disciples are strictly forbidden from privately exchanging Jade Slips or selling Cultivation Methods and Daoist Formulas outside the sect, otherwise, they will be sent to the mines."
"I will naturally abide by the sect rules."
Li Changfeng's stern expression faded, his smile like a spring breeze:
"Junior Brother, how many years do you plan to take to repay?"
Is there even a need to ask? Of course, it's the longest period!
An interest-free 'loan', you'd have to be foolish to ask for a shorter period.
"Forty years!"
200 Contribution Points, to be repaid over forty years, 5 points per year, with two spells requiring only 10 points a year, with no pressure.
"Very well, there are no copies of the Fourth-Layer Technique in the main hall. Perhaps Junior Brother can join me in the Library to collect the Jade Slips and sign the agreement."
Ji An naturally responded:
"Please lead the way, Senior Brother, I haven't been to the Library yet, it's a good chance to see it."
Li Changfeng took the lead, with Ji An half a step behind him.
"I feel a sense of kinship with Junior Brother at first sight. If you encounter any difficulties in the future, feel free to seek me out at the Miscellaneous Affairs Hall.
I, Li Changfeng, still have some influence among the Qi Refining Stage disciples."
Saying this, he took out a palm-sized Jade Pendant:
"I am from the Li Clan of White Ape Mountain. Our family has a few shops in Cyan Cloud Immortal City, and Junior Brother can enjoy some discounts with this item."
"Thank you for your generosity, Senior Brother. Ji An accepts it humbly. If Senior Brother ever needs my help, just let me know."
Ji An accepted the Jade Pendant graciously, as not accepting it would be disrespectful to the senior brother.
As for the future, he could help with what he could and spread the word about what he couldn't. It's all about social interaction.
He hadn't heard of the Li Clan of White Ape Mountain, but he was aware of the reputation of Cyan Cloud Immortal City.
The Immortal City was at the junction of the Golden Spirit Sect, Luofeng Valley, and Yuanhe Mountain, built over a Tier Two Middle Grade Spiritual Vein, housing numerous Cultivation Clans, with a complex interweaving of power. No single force could occupy it alone.
Thus, the three sects, along with various families, established the Great Immortal City, reportedly housing over 100,000 loose cultivators.
The sects eat meat, Cultivation Clans gnaw on the bones, and loose cultivators drink a soup, allowing everyone to coexist peacefully.
Li Changfeng's face softened further:
"For someone so young to have such achievements in planting techniques, I wish you an early transition to a High-tier Spirit Farmer."
The Li Clan of White Ape Mountain rose to prominence with their Medicinal Garden, making befriending potential Spirit Farmers instinctive. Otherwise, why stay in the Miscellaneous Affairs Hall when there are better opportunities?
The two arrived at the Library. Ji An received the Jade Slips, signed the agreement, and took his leave.
Li Changfeng reminded him:
"Remember to repay the Contribution Points by this time next year, or there will be penalties from the sect."
"Thank you for the reminder, Senior Brother."
...
The sunset painted the clouds with hues of smoke.
"Ah..."
"Splash!"
A figure fell from mid-air into the lake, causing a large splash.
Ji An surfaced, hearing bursts of laughter.
"Haha, Junior Brother, you fell into the water so gracefully.
For cheering me up so much, I won't hold your disturbance of the fish against you."
With the sound of oars, a small boat drifted over, extending a length of green bamboo.
Ji An grabbed the bamboo, climbed onto the small boat, recognized the person, and cupped his hands:
"It's my honor to make Senior Brother Liang laugh."
"You recognize me?"
"I've been to your fish shop with Senior Brother Wei Songnian. Your four-ways-to-eat fish are indeed exceptionally delicious.
The talisman bird given by Senior Brother Wei has passed on, meeting you today is truly a marvelous coincidence."
Ji An laughed at himself, wringing water out of his Daoist robe before putting it back on.
That day, he caught a glimpse of the other's face sporting a scar on the forehead, so he remembered clearly.
Liang Hill dropped the bamboo, speaking with a face full of curiosity:
"What happened? Junior Brother, tell me in detail."
Ji An looked rather bitter, recounting the talisman bird story, and sighed:
"Foolishly, I overestimated and hoped to make it back to my place, never expecting..."
Life is nothing more than being laughed at and occasionally laughing at others. His skin was thick enough, and his attitude light enough, not to mind Liang Hill's schadenfreude.
Swapping positions, he'd probably laugh even louder than him.
"It's rare for Senior Brother Wei to give things to people. He usually takes ages bargaining even over a single Spirit Crystal for fish float glue."
Liang Hill suppressed his laughter, saying:
"Junior Brother, it will be dark soon, and it might be too late to take you back. Why not come with me to Jade Water Marketplace and make further plans?"
"Thank you, Senior Brother, without you, I might really have to swim back."
Ji An cupped his hands in thanks, helping to row the boat.
He glanced at the catch and saw a few golden carps about a foot long, praising:
"Great catch, Senior Brother!"
He didn't recognize Spirit Fish, but compliments would never be wrong.
Liang Hill smiled proudly:
"It's only with this knack for fishing Spirit Fish that I've been able to hold my ground in the sect. Once I've saved enough Contribution Points, I can rent a pond to raise Spirit Fish."
His eyes gleamed as he spoke.
Ji An nodded and smiled at the sight of his sun-darkened skin.
Life may be bitter, but as long as there's hope.
Liang Hill sang an unknown song, egrets flying past the lake, sect disciples riding Talisman Bird Immortal Cranes in flight, casting dark silhouettes against the setting sun.