Living In Another World With A Farm Chapter 8544 8544: Mission (1)

Upon exiting the courtyard, Lu Yongde glanced back at Cheng Wanchun, his face filled with envy. “Wanchun, you’re truly fortunate. I’ve heard there are several celestial artifacts in our treasure repository, crafted personally by the sect master. They hold immense power, and obtaining one brings great luck, though it hinges on destiny. We assumed it was a myth since no one had claimed them for ages, but it proved real, and you received them. You’re incredibly lucky, young one. I won’t lecture you further—just wield this magical artifact wisely.”

Cheng Wanchun’s face beamed with uncontainable thrill. “Yes. Rest easy, headmaster. I’ll cultivate diligently for sure.” Lu Yongde gave a nod. Though jealousy stirred within him toward Cheng Wanchun, no malicious intent arose. He understood that combat was prohibited in the boundless space, and acts like murder or theft were strictly banned. Attempting such would seal his own doom. Thus, envy was all he felt, and he kept silent on the matter.

Returning to the front yard together, Cheng Wanchun headed to his quarters. Back in his room, he eagerly pulled out the copper ruler and handled it with utmost care. Reluctantly, he set it aside after a while. Next, he grasped the Jade slip from Lord Sun and probed it with his spiritual power.

The moment his spiritual power delved into the Jade slip, astonishment gripped him. A cultivation method resided within it. This technique resembled the Song of Righteousness Qi he had mastered, yet subtle variances existed. Mastering this method promised greater might than the Song of Righteousness Qi. Moreover, a crucial aspect tied its practice closely to the pair of ruler weights. In essence, this technique’s cultivation intertwined with those ruler weights. The optimal magical tool was this set of town rulers. With proper refinement, their potency would surge dramatically, and his cultivation pace would accelerate as well.

Naturally delighted upon reading it, Cheng Wanchun promptly seized the ruler and commenced practice per the method. The initial phase involved storing the ruler in his primordial spirit for nurturing. Concurrently, he would gradually imprint restrictions from the technique onto it. Each cultivation step was detailed explicitly, ensuring no errors in execution.

As Cheng Wanchun began the practice, he sensed this technique fitting him better than the Song of Righteousness. During the Song of Righteousness cultivation, certain parts felt somewhat obstructed. Yet with this technique, everything flowed seamlessly. It seemed crafted specifically for him.

Time flew by, and another month elapsed. Over this period, Cheng Wanchun’s power advanced to the third level of the Dharma-use realm. Such rapid progress stunned onlookers. Most remarkably, each successful restriction added to the ruler boosted his cultivation speed slightly. This discovery left him in awe.

Overjoyed by this, Cheng Wanchun poured even greater effort into his training. Yet another month slipped away, marking three months in the realm for him. By now, his strength hit the fifth level of the Dharma power usage realm. Though the pace appeared to lag, it remained impressively swift. As power grew, cultivation naturally decelerated due to the need for more Dharma power accumulation. Reaching the fifth level from the first in just two months was already defying the heavens in the transcendence realm. Far from disheartened, Cheng Wanchun brimmed with exhilaration.

Still, after these three months, Cheng Wanchun faced an impending mission. He couldn’t solely focus on cultivation without duties. Thus, he readied himself, gathered his belongings, and sought out Lu Yongde. He realized consulting Lu Yongde was essential to learn his next assignment.

Before he could rap on Lu Yongde’s door, the voice rang out: “Wanchun, you’re here—enter.” Cheng Wanchun acknowledged and swung the door open, stepping into the living room. He bowed to Lu Yongde, who rose and dismissed it with a wave. “No need for formalities. Impressive lad, your cultivation advances at a blistering rate. You’re a true prodigy. I won’t prattle on. The superiors assigned you a task. This is your specific mission—review it.” With that, he passed a Jade slip to Cheng Wanchun.

Accepting the Jade slip, Cheng Wanchun scanned its details, then stared at Lu Yongde in bewilderment. “Sect master, this doesn’t outline a mission. It merely instructs me to meet someone. What’s the intent?” Cheng Wanchun genuinely puzzled over the assignment’s purpose.

Lu Yongde chuckled and replied, “I’m in the dark on that. Truth be told, I have no clue what task awaits you. I haven’t even peeked at the Jade slip’s contents, as this falls beyond my authority. So, I truly can’t say what you’ll undertake. Proceed as directed in the Jade slip.” Though still perplexed, Cheng Wanchun agreed and departed with the Jade slip.

Guided by the Jade slip’s directives, Cheng Wanchun reached a mountain peak. A courtyard stood there too. Landing before it, he noted its plainness—no markers, no signage, no decorations adorned it. This left him somewhat perplexed.

Nevertheless, Cheng Wanchun approached the shut courtyard gate. He lightly struck the copper knocker, and it swung open with a groan. A cultivator eyed him sternly and intoned, “Show me the mission Jade slip.” Clearly, he sought the very Jade slip Cheng Wanchun possessed. Without delay, Cheng Wanchun produced and handed it over.

The man examined it briefly and nodded, swinging the gate wider. “Enter.” Cheng Wanchun inclined his head and crossed the threshold. Inside lay a modest square. The cultivator guided him through it quickly, soon halting before a chamber. “Go inside; someone will explain your summons here.”

“Yes,” Cheng Wanchun responded and stepped into the room. Shock hit him upon seeing several cultivators already present, seated within. The room’s arrangement mirrored Lu Yongde’s living area but spanned larger with extra seating. Otherwise, it matched closely.

The room’s occupants cast glances at Cheng Wanchun but held their tongues. Cheng Wanchun observed them silently as well. He claimed an available seat. Soon, others arrived. Upon tallying, twenty-seven individuals occupied the space.

As Cheng Wanchun pondered these developments, a figure emerged from the rear. He appeared under thirty, with a friendly demeanor. Addressing the group, he grinned and spoke, “All present. Hehe, greetings, everyone. Allow me a proper introduction. I’m Zhu Yong, servant to the young master. The young master I mean is our sect master.”

Stunned by Zhu Yong’s declaration, the assembly rose swiftly to pay respects. Zhu Yong gestured them down. Scanning the room gravely, he declared, “No need for such courtesy. Fate brought you here today. Each of you obtained a magical tool forged by the young master and trained via his provided cultivation method. Excellent. This very fortune grants you this chance. Seize it to serve the young master. Should you refuse service, depart now.”

Silence reigned; none stirred to exit. They had pledged to the Ghostwind bandits. Declining service to the Ghostwind bandits’ great leader—the very sect master in whispers—amounted to suicide. To them, dubbing the bandit leader a sect master felt odd. After all, the Ghostwind bandits formed a mere bandit crew. How could one claim the title of sect master?

Surveying them with a smile, Zhu Yong continued, “Splendid. With no departures, you affirm your desire to serve the young master. Cultivating his technique marks you as his in-name disciples. That’s why I summoned you today. As in-name disciples, you ought to learn the young master’s true standing. Doubtless, many wonder why the young master leads only the Ghostwind bandits, yet demands the title of sect master from those in the spatial zone. Perhaps some believe he aspires to found a sect, hence the title. Or that he seeks to elevate his prestige. I suspect such notions cross your minds, don’t they?” Zhu Yong’s gaze swept over them as he spoke. Faces paled under his scrutiny. None dared utter a word; some even averted their eyes instinctively.

Zhu Yong regarded them with a grin. “No shame in it. Such thoughts are natural. Today, I aim to clarify this. Be warned: once informed, departure from the Ghostwind bandits is impossible. Attempting it invites certain death.”

Though Zhu Yong smiled through his words, dread chilled the listeners. They recognized no jest in his tone. His grin evoked icy shivers. They grasped fully that future flight meant demise. No skepticism lingered on that score.