parentshiftbook Chapter 77 Threat
Chapter 77 Threat
Lu Cheng opened the window and looked down at the distant mountains.
My mind was racing, and I longed to let out a long howl immediately.
Body Refinement Realm!
This is a level that many martial artists can never reach in their entire lives.
Lu Cheng raised his arm.
I looked at it, then pinched it.
The feel is the same as always.
Lu Cheng then burst into laughter.
He had just broken through to the Body Refinement Realm, how could there be any changes?
To reach the level of shattering a millstone with a wave of one's hand like Feng Zhan, one would probably need to raise their proficiency to over 100.
Fortunately, I have a large number of pills on hand. With all my efforts in refining them, it shouldn't be too far off.
After tidying up the table, Lu Cheng walked briskly down the stairs.
……
As the saying goes, "A person is in high spirits when good things happen."
After returning to his room from the Zanggong Pavilion, Lu Cheng unusually slept until 11:00 AM the next day.
Having focused on the "Minor Longevity Manual" for several days, now that he has succeeded, he decided to take a break and familiarize himself with the surroundings.
As soon as he pushed open the door, the joy on his face immediately faded.
Inside the courtyard, Liu Cong was actually standing there.
Nearby, Lu Cheng's two neighbors were chatting with him.
The disciples of Juyun Peak reside in courtyards.
Each courtyard has three side rooms, housing three disciples.
The two people in the same courtyard as Lu Cheng were also from a small sect, just like him.
Seeing Lu Cheng get up, Liu Cong greeted him with a smile:
"Junior Brother Lu, get up."
Lu Chengchao and Liu Cong nodded slightly:
"What brings Senior Brother Liu to our courtyard?"
As he spoke, he walked towards the well in the courtyard to fetch water for washing.
Liu Cong smiled and walked to Lu Cheng's side:
"I was busy with work the other day, so I came over today since I wasn't on duty."
"Firstly, I plan to show you around the sect, and secondly..." He paused, then took out a wooden plaque two fingers wide and one finger long from his robes, and continued:
"It's also to give something to my junior brother."
On the other side, two disciples from the same courtyard were greatly surprised when they saw the wooden plaque:
"Is it a token for a preaching slot?"
His tone betrayed his envy.
Lu Cheng glanced at the two men, then at the token:
"Preaching slots? What are those?"
One of the disciples stepped forward, looking at the token with envy, and explained:
"The sect arranges for three Body Refinement Realm masters to come to Juyun Peak to give lectures in the middle and at the end of each month."
"Those are all at the Body Refinement Realm! Their answer might save us months of work!"
"Unfortunately, these spots are extremely limited, and it's very difficult for the average person to get one."
It's bad enough that the channels for teaching martial arts techniques are being used by some people as a tool to make money, but how come the opportunity to get answers and explanations has to be fought over?
Lu Cheng was somewhat puzzled for a moment:
"The slots for teachers to preach are so limited that they have to be fought for. How can such an arrangement effectively cultivate disciples?"
"If this continues, aren't you afraid that the sect will suffer from a decline in talent and a shortage of successors?"
Liu Cong shook his head:
"Junior brother, you may not know this, but this arrangement was made out of necessity."
"Firstly, there are many disciples at Juyun Peak. If they all rush over in one go, the scene will inevitably be chaotic, and the purpose of the sermon will not be achieved."
"This is not the first time such a situation has occurred."
"Secondly, the teachers who preach the Way are not all the same in terms of their cultivation level and the methods they practice. If they are not from the same lineage, it will not be of much use even if you go there."
"This is a rare opportunity; it would be better to leave it to the disciples who truly need it."
"Then the question becomes how to select them."
"To ensure fairness, a quota was set."
"Initially, it was obtained in exchange for sect contributions."
"But we disciples who have mastered internal energy are generally of average strength, so it is not easy for us to earn contributions."
"Some of the more powerful senior brothers contributed more than they could use, so they were willing to give us the opportunity."
"As for talent cultivation... Heh, I'm not trying to be pessimistic, but how can disciples like us be considered 'talented'?"
"Putting everything else aside, how could your fellow townsman, Junior Uncle Du Ruo, lack guidance?"
Lu Cheng remained silent, unsure how to respond.
Liu Cong smiled and handed the token to Lu Cheng:
"This is Elder Cui Yuan's sermon order."
"Elder Cui is cultivating the Lesser Longevity Technique. Junior Brother Lu, you must seize the opportunity when the time comes."
The two people in the same courtyard were taken aback and said:
"Elder Cui Yuan is at the late stage of Body Refinement; he only gives a lecture once every three months!"
Lu Cheng was taken aback, wondering what Liu Cong was up to.
He glanced at the token and refused.
"Senior brother is joking. I have neither made any contributions nor have any money. Although this spot is good, I can't afford to accept it."
Liu Cong shook his head and forcefully shoved the wooden plaque into Lu Cheng's hand:
"Junior brother is joking. It's just a sermon spot; there's no need for you to spend money."
"Many of your senior brothers have heard about your situation and are willing to take care of you."
Lu Cheng instantly understood Liu Cong's meaning and pushed the token back:
"In that case, I absolutely cannot accept this token."
"Please also ask Senior Brother Liu to thank this senior brother for me. I will definitely thank him in person when I have time in the future."
Liu Cong's expression changed instantly, but with two fellow disciples behind him, he didn't say anything inappropriate.
Suppressing his emotions, he forced himself to appear indifferent.
"There's no reason to take back something that's been given away. Even if I wanted to, that senior brother wouldn't."
"Junior Brother, you can keep the token. It's up to you if you don't want to go."
"However, these are minor matters. Today, my main task is to show my junior brother around the sect."
"If you're ready, let's go."
His words were filled with an undeniable authority.
Lu Cheng nodded, put his things back inside, changed his clothes, and went out with Liu Cong.
After the two left, the two disciples in the same courtyard looked at each other in bewilderment.
"Hey, we're all from the lower sects, why don't we get this kind of treatment?"
The other person shook their head:
"And judging from the looks of it, Lu Cheng isn't very appreciative. It's true what they say, comparisons are odious."
……
Leaving aside the envy of the two people inside the courtyard, Lu Cheng and Liu Cong left the small courtyard and first walked along the mountain path.
Gradually, it drifted away from the path.
Upon reaching a secluded spot, Liu Cong stopped first and asked in a cold tone:
"What did Junior Brother Lu mean just now?"
Lu Cheng met Liu Cong's gaze without the slightest fear:
"As the saying goes, one should not accept a reward without merit. This preaching spot is so precious; how could I possibly accept it so easily with just a word of 'consideration' from my senior brother?"
Liu Cong smiled slowly:
"That's what Junior Brother was worried about."
"In that case, I might as well tell my junior brother."
"The one who asked me to deliver the token was Senior Brother Wan Chuan from Zixia Peak."
"Senior Brother Wan recently entered the Body Refinement Realm and now needs the help of some junior brothers."
"It just so happens that you, Junior Brother Lu, have just joined the sect and your strength is quite impressive. Why don't you come and serve under Senior Brother Wan? That way, you'll have a powerful backer."
"A group of bandits appeared in Xishan a while ago. Senior Brother Wan took on this mission. If Junior Brother volunteers to join now, Senior Brother Wan will definitely remember you."
Lu Cheng looked at Liu Cong and shook his head without thinking:
"As you know, Senior Brother, I have just obtained the cultivation technique and am currently in the process of comprehending it. I really don't have the time."
"Since this is not a task assigned by the sect, I will not participate."
"I plan to familiarize myself with the sect's layout today, so please excuse me."
Having said that, he turned around and lifted his foot.
Liu Cong sneered:
"Comprehension of cultivation techniques? Is your cultivation technique of legitimate origin? Also, have you forgotten about the five thousand taels?"
Lu Cheng stopped and turned around, asking in confusion:
"Is my senior brother threatening me?"
Liu Cong said:
"It's not a threat, I just wanted to advise my junior brother."
"If you don't join Senior Brother Wan's ranks today, Senior Brother Zhang or Senior Brother Wang will come to recruit you tomorrow..."
"You're a smart man, Junior Brother, you must have figured it out, right?"
Lu Cheng took a deep breath, suppressing the urge to curse, and said:
"It seems I have no choice. In that case, please explain the bandit suppression mission in detail, Senior Brother Liu."
Liu Cong was naturally pleased to hear this.
He said "Eh," and waved his hand.
"The way you're saying that makes it sound like we're forcing you, junior brother."
"Since you are in the Dongyang Sect, it is impossible for you to remain untainted."
"Senior Brother Wan is already a body-refining martial artist at such a young age. His future is limitless, and we will not let you down."
"More importantly, Senior Brother Wan also has powerful backers, whose influence is far beyond what Junior Brother can imagine."
"Alright, you should come with me to Zixia Peak first, and we'll meet Senior Brother Wan first."
Lu Cheng outwardly agreed, but inwardly he had other plans.
The bandits can be suppressed, and so can Liu Cong.
They're after money first, then coercion; keeping this guy around might cause some trouble in the future.
Since that's the case, why not take this opportunity to get rid of this scourge completely!
Thinking of this, Lu Cheng smiled and raised his hand:
"Then I'll trouble you, senior brother, to make the introduction."