Chapter 22

Of course, Hu Jing, Zhang Xiaojiang, and Wang Meng were exceptions. Hu Jing and Zhang Xiaojiang were direct disciples, one at the fifth level of the Life Mark, the other at the fourth level. Just a little guidance, and reaching the tenth level of the Life Mark was only a matter of time. Wang Meng definitely had some background too; who would believe that a guy like him could distinguish the King of Weeds?

"Hehe, Brother Zhang, Brother Wang, you are truly talented. Sister Hu is even more remarkable, achieving such a demeanor after just one month of cultivation."

To their surprise, Zhou Qian took the initiative to approach them, showering them with flattery from the start.

Wang Meng smiled, "Brother Zhou, are you so enthusiastic because you want to settle accounts with us?"

Hu Jing remained silent, while Zhang Xiaojiang looked at Wang Meng, seemingly deferring to the "weakest" Wang Meng.

Zhou Qian was taken aback, "Accounts? What accounts?" He suddenly feigned realization, "Oh, I remember, the spirit stone, right? Don't worry, I would never take Brother Zhang's spirit stone; it was just to motivate you!"

As he spoke, Zhou Qian carefully took out a spirit stone, larger than the one Zhang Xiaojiang originally had. His expression was one of deep pain.

Naturally, Zhou Qian didn't dare to ask Zhao Guang for it, nor did he dare to offend Zhang Xiaojiang and Hu Jing. He could only sacrifice himself.

Wang Meng nodded, and Zhang Xiaojiang unceremoniously took the stone. Wang Meng patted Zhou Qian's shoulder, "Brother Zhou is a smart man. I like dealing with smart people."

Zhou Qian maintained a calm expression, but his heart was churning. This guy was treating him with too little respect. Could he really have some background?

"Not at all, not at all. The three of you are exceptionally talented, but cultivation always involves endless trivial matters. If you need anything, just let me know. In the Thunderlight Hall, who doesn't know that I, Zhou Qian, am a well-known jack-of-all-trades? I'm always the first to know about all the gossip. Also, I have a small gift for you."

As he spoke, he took out three talismans from his bag and handed them to the three with a smile. The fat boy accepted them without hesitation, not believing that this guy would dare to deceive them.

Wang Meng didn't push it further. He had seen many people trying to survive in the cracks, and this one was already better than most.

"Brother Zhou, since you're so enthusiastic, we won't be polite. We'll definitely need your help in the future."

"Ha ha, it's my duty, it's my duty. You chat, I have some matters to attend to." Zhou Qian maintained a smiling face, as if he were the most selfless senior brother.

Zhou Qian's heart was bleeding, but he always adhered to the principle of knowing when to act. He didn't believe that both Elder Zhao Guang and Elder Wan Jing would be wrong about these three. As long as one of them could maintain their position, he couldn't afford to offend them.

This time, he really stepped in it.

"Brother Meng, why don't we report him or at least beat him up?" Zhang Xiaojiang said, still fondling the spirit stone.

This one was larger than his original, and after a month of torment, he had become much more sensitive to the essence of the spirit stone. Cultivating with a spirit stone would definitely be very beneficial.

"In the cultivation world, the weak are preyed upon by the strong. Reporting is the most cowardly behavior."

Wang Meng shook his head.

"Wang Meng is right. In the future, we can only rely on ourselves. Zhang Xiaojiang, don't count on Elder Wan Jing helping you. If you can't show enough talent in your subsequent cultivation, you will be discarded at any time," Hu Jing said.

Zhang Xiaojiang patted his bulging chest, "I am a genius!"

The peak of Thunderlight was where the four elders cultivated, with the most abundant essence. Only a few disciples could approach. The Thunderlight Hall was located on the mountain waist, where all the disciples gathered to cultivate. As formal disciples, each would have a small courtyard.

Hu Jing and Zhang Xiaojiang, as direct disciples, lived in the Jia area, where the third-generation disciples of the Thunderlight Hall who were relatively strong resided. The essence here was also relatively abundant.

For Zhang Xiaojiang, becoming Hu Jing's neighbor was even more delightful than getting a spirit stone.

Wang Meng lived in the Yi area.

The three were in Hu Jing's room, which she had already decorated into a girl's boudoir, clean and tidy. As soon as they entered, the fat boy's nose started sniffing vigorously.

Even as a close friend, Wang Meng couldn't stand it anymore and kicked Zhang Xiaojiang, who then sat down like a guest.

Hu Jing was used to their antics. No matter what the environment, she seemed unaffected, and she prepared tea for the two.

"Try it. This is from my master, the Mist Immortal Tea, which has a calming effect."

"Wow, Elder Zhao is too biased. He's already giving gifts. Are there any life-saving pills or something? Zhou Qian only sells inferior goods," Zhang Xiaojiang was still a bit resentful. Apart from the Divine Speed Talisman, the rest were junk.

"Within a year, complete the Lesser Multiplication of Essence and Heart, and raise the Life Mark by two levels. Direct disciples have benefits, but they also face more difficulties than others," Hu Jing said, but she didn't seem to feel any pressure.

Zhang Xiaojiang immediately took out his talisman and, upon seeing it, was immediately stunned, "Damn, I also need to complete the Lesser Multiplication of Essence and Heart. This is too harsh. Damn, can I not be a direct disciple?"

Seeing Wang Meng and Hu Jing's gazes, Zhang Xiaojiang immediately raised his hands in surrender, "Consider I said nothing."

Wang Meng also looked at his talisman. For non-direct disciples like Wang Meng, various tasks were assigned based on their abilities. Wang Meng's task was to plant Spirit Grass on the one-acre spirit field he had cultivated. This grass could absorb essence and produce spirit grains like rice, with two harvests per year. Eighty percent had to be handed over, and twenty percent could be kept. These spirit grains could be used as auxiliary materials for alchemy or to feed messenger animals, with many uses.

However, there were no cultivation requirements for him.

The Lesser Multiplication series of cultivation techniques were divided into seven levels, the entry-level techniques. Only after mastering them could one continue to cultivate.

In the Holy Hall, each division had a Sword Pavilion, a Dharma Artifact Pavilion, and more, where contributions and spirit stones could be exchanged. But for Wang Meng, this was something he couldn't recall, and it felt quite novel.

The information on Zhou Qian's talisman, though basic, was very helpful. Wang Meng found that it had already undergone a complete transformation from before.

The strength of cultivators mainly depended on three factors: the level of the Life Mark, dharma techniques, and dharma artifacts.

Life Mark: The higher the level, the more Life Marks, the stronger the essence power, and the more dharma techniques that could be used. This naturally grows through cultivation and the use of heavenly materials.

Dharma Techniques: Based on the combination of Life Marks and the output of essence power, they produce powerful forces, the foundation of establishing a sect. Learning dharma techniques requires insight and hard practice, with no other shortcuts.

The Life Mark determines whether one can become a cultivator, while insight determines whether one can become a powerful cultivator.

Dharma Artifacts: Including the life weapons of martial cultivators and the various talismans, dharma artifacts, and elixirs created by talisman and body cultivators. These are external objects, and having a good dharma artifact is like having a second life.