Chapter 3

Outside the Thousand Domain Islands, on the Green Cloud Peak.

Green Cloud Peak is a long and continuous terrain, specifically designated for lower-level cultivator disciples to establish their own caves.

Each disciple can choose a place they like to establish their cave, which is a benefit for the disciples of the sect.

The entire Green Cloud Peak only has a first-grade spirit vein, making the spiritual energy relatively thin.

Spirit veins are classified into first-grade, second-grade, third-grade, and fourth-grade spirit veins, based on the level of spiritual energy they provide for different ranks of cultivators.

The entire Thousand Domain Islands have only one fourth-grade spirit vein, located on the inner island, which is the core of the Qianshui Yuling Sect. It is heavily fortified with countless defensive formations.

In a daze, Li Qing slowly woke up.

"You're awake."

A familiar voice echoed in the room.

Li Qing lifted his eyes and saw a slightly plump man wearing the outer sect robe of the Qianshui Yuling Sect sitting in the room.

Seeing him, Li Qing slightly relaxed his guard.

Meng Ran is also an outer sect disciple of the Qianshui Yuling Sect and had a good relationship with Li Qing's predecessor.

Both of them are at the same cultivation level. His father was once a sect disciple but died in battle, leaving Meng Ran in a difficult situation similar to Li Qing's in the outer sect.

Their caves are also next to each other, and they often interact.

"By the way, the Enforcement Hall has asked you to go there now," Meng Ran looked at Li Qing with concern.

The outer island of the sect has established three halls and six peaks to facilitate the cultivation of outer sect disciples.

The three halls are: the Enforcement Hall, the Skill Transmission Hall, and the Internal Affairs Hall.

The six peaks are: the Alchemy Peak, the Spirit Forging Peak, the Spirit Beast Peak, the Sword Embracing Peak, the External Affairs Peak, and the Hundred Arts Peak.

The Enforcement Hall is mainly responsible for maintaining the order and rules of the sect.

"I wonder who the disciple is that came to see you," Meng Ran said with a worried expression.

After hearing this, Li Qing's eyes flashed with a hint of surprise.

He knew who Meng Ran was talking about, but now was not the time to worry about it. He needed to get through the current crisis first.

"Okay."

Li Qing nodded and got up to leave the cave.

Meng Ran saw Li Qing leave calmly, and a hint of confusion flashed in his eyes.

For some reason, over the past few months, Li Qing had become more reserved and distant, and his behavior had become more mysterious.

"Maybe he's trying not to drag me down," Meng Ran consoled himself.

---

Outside the cave, three young outer sect disciples were standing.

All three were wearing blue robes, but with some black mystical patterns, adding a fierce aura.

"Li Qing, by the order of the hall master, we are to take you to the Enforcement Hall for investigation."

The disciple on the left said this with a cold look at Li Qing.

The Enforcement Hall is considered a plum post on the outer island, with the minimum requirement being mid-stage Qi Cultivation. Many of them got in through connections.

These people naturally looked down on Li Qing, both in terms of strength and status, far surpassing what Li Qing could currently match.

Li Qing did not speak but looked at the man in the middle.

The man was tall and thin, with a long face.

At this moment, he was smiling at Li Qing, but his eyes revealed a mocking look.

This man was Wei Xuan, whom Meng Ran had just mentioned.

This was the first time Li Qing met the man, but a large part of the reason his predecessor had taken the path of desperate struggle was due to this person.

Wei Xuan's father was a Foundation Establishment cultivator and a powerful enforcer in the Enforcement Hall, with a formidable reputation on the outer island.

For some unknown reason, Wei Xuan had learned about the Foundation Establishment Pill left by Li Qing's parents.

Using his strength and his father's power, Wei Xuan had been continuously pressuring Li Qing to transfer the Foundation Establishment Pill to him.

The predecessor of Li Qing naturally refused, as the Foundation Establishment Pill was his only hope on the path to immortality.

With his资质, he had no means to obtain such an important pill again.

The Foundation Establishment Pill is a crucial item in a sect, considered the foundation of the sect. Regardless of the quantity, it is tightly controlled by the sect.

To obtain a Foundation Establishment Pill within the sect, one needs to exchange it with contribution points, which are earned by completing sect tasks.

Contribution points can also be traded among sect members, to intensify internal competition.

"In a way, this man could be considered a benefactor," Li Qing thought to himself.

If his predecessor had not died, he might not have been able to use this body to be reborn.

However, when he decided to snatch Li Qing's opportunity, this person was already marked in Li Qing's mind.

"What does the hall master want with me?" Li Qing asked, feigning confusion.

"Stop wasting time, you'll know when you get there."

The man on the side said coldly and turned to leave.

On the way to the Enforcement Hall, Wei Xuan deliberately let the other two disciples walk ahead, while he slowly approached Li Qing.

The other two understood and immediately kept their distance from Li Qing.

"Junior Brother Li, how have you considered the matter I mentioned to you before?"

Wei Xuan no longer hid his true intentions, revealing a fierce look.

"Senior Brother Wei, that is the only thing my parents left me," Li Qing said, feigning hesitation.

"Besides, I need it badly. Without the Foundation Establishment Pill, how can I possibly reach the Foundation Establishment stage with my资质?"

Li Qing deliberately lowered his head after saying this.

"Foundation Establishment," Wei Xuan thought, mocking.

A mere middle-grade spirit root talking about Foundation Establishment is truly laughable.

However, seeing that Li Qing seemed to be giving in, Wei Xuan was pleased.

Not directly refusing him meant there was a chance, so he didn't have to resort to the worst-case scenario.

"Junior Brother, I advise you to be more realistic."

"Let alone Foundation Establishment, even breaking through to mid-stage Qi Cultivation from your current third stage is a distant dream."

"Here's the deal, I'll make a concession. If you agree, I won't let you down. I'll give you a thousand spirit stones immediately," Wei Xuan said with a sincere look at Li Qing.

Li Qing inwardly sneered.

The Foundation Establishment Pill is a crucial item in the sect, worth tens of thousands of spirit stones on the black market, and is hard to come by.

Now, Wei Xuan wanted to get rid of him with just a thousand spirit stones.

To get through the current crisis, Li Qing did not immediately refute Wei Xuan.

"Senior Brother, give me some time to consider."

"You're right, even reaching mid-stage Qi Cultivation is already a struggle for me, let alone peak Qi Cultivation," Li Qing said, looking dejected.

"Alright."

Wei Xuan was pleased and did not want to push Li Qing too hard.

"Junior Brother, you can seriously consider it. You should know that a first-stage Qi Cultivator only receives three low-grade spirit stones per month from the sect, which is equivalent to several decades of your salary."

After saying this, Wei Xuan quickened his pace to catch up with the other disciples.

The Qianshui Yuling Sect provides three low-grade spirit stones per month to first-stage Qi Cultivators, five low-grade spirit stones per month to mid-stage Qi Cultivators, and eight low-grade spirit stones per month to late-stage Qi Cultivators.

Sect disciples must complete a sect task once a year, which is a way to evaluate the disciples.

The path of cultivation is a bottomless pit, requiring endless resources.

Wealth, companions, methods, and territory—wealth comes first.

---

The Enforcement Hall is located on a small spirit peak on the outer island, which has a second-grade spirit vein.

The spirit peak where the Enforcement Hall is located stands tall and straight, like a giant sword piercing the ground, exuding a fierce aura that instills fear.

The grand and solemn palace is situated on the waist of the spirit peak.

Entering the grand hall, Li Qing bowed in respect.

"Are you Li Qing?"