Chapter 2

......

Luo Fan woke up once again, recalling how he had become a eunuch right after crossing over, tears streamed down his face, and he sighed inwardly about his bad luck. Others who crossed over always seemed to get all sorts of benefits and incredible powers, but he hadn't even had the chance to show his skills before the system buried him in a pit.

"Right, the system!" The thought of the system instantly brightened Luo Fan's eyes. "I still have the system, don't I? The system is supposed to have countless treasures. I'll ask if there's anything to treat... that thing."

"System!"

"Hello, host. Is there anything I can help you with?"

"Do you have anything that can treat... that thing?" Luo Fan asked with a hopeful look.

"Which thing? Please be specific, or I cannot provide an answer."

"Damn, I forgot that your AI has some serious issues. It's the thing that's missing from my body after I practiced the Exorcism Sword Technique!"

"You mean your little JJ? You could just say it directly. Humans always beat around the bush. There are plenty of treasures to restore that, don't worry!"

"Then... which one is the cheapest?" Luo Fan asked, rubbing his hands.

"Cellular Repair Fluid, only 50,000 points per bottle, reasonably priced, no cheating!"

"50,000? That's the price of five Nine Yin Manual! You're telling me it's reasonably priced? Are you doing this on purpose?"

"Please don't doubt the system's credibility. All treasures sold by the system are clearly priced, no cheating."

"Then tell me how to get points."

"The points required for the system's exchanges are obtained by taking others' luck. These luck points will also serve as the system's energy source. The system has only enough energy to run for five more years, so please obtain luck as soon as possible."

"Can you be more specific? How do I get it?"

"Specifically, it means taking the benefits that should have been obtained by others."

"Then tell me, if I get the second half of the Nine Yin Manual from the ancient tomb's secret passage, how many points can I get?"

"This question exceeds the system's ability to answer."

"Damn, what a lousy system, so low IQ." Luo Fan cursed, clearly unhappy.

"Ding, due to the host's repeated insults, punishment—electric shock."

"Ahh!" A piercing scream echoed from somewhere in Chongyang Palace, startling a flock of birds.

"Little Luo, you're awake?" A young Taoist with clear features walked in with a basin of water for washing his face. Seeing Luo Fan with his hair standing on end, he was taken aback.

"Little Luo, what happened?"

Luo Fan chuckled awkwardly and said, "Ah... I remembered my parents being killed by bandits, and my hair stood on end in anger, yes, in anger."

"Little Luo, I've heard about your plight. The Mongol bandits are indeed despicable, but you must take care of yourself."

"Thank you, Daoist. I understand. I've caused you all a lot of trouble."

"Right." Luo Fan seemed to think of something and scratched his head. "Where are Daoist Wang and Daoist Cui? I haven't thanked them for saving my life yet."

"Grandmaster wants to see you. Little brother, wash up first, and then I'll take you to him."

"Okay."

......

On the way, Luo Fan kept thinking about how to convince Wang Chuyi, a high-ranking member of the Quanzhen Sect, to take him as a disciple. After a while, led by the young Taoist, they finally arrived at Wang Chuyi's room.

In the room, besides Wang Chuyi and the young Taoist Cui Zhifang, there was another middle-aged Taoist with a fine beard standing by.

"Little Luo Fan, thank you, all the Daoists, for saving my life. I have nothing to repay you, but I am willing to serve you as a horse or a dog, at your command!" Seeing them, Luo Fan quickly bowed deeply, knowing that the favor of saving his life was significant, and he needed to make a good impression.

"Please rise quickly." Wang Chuyi, who had been calmly drinking tea, quickly stood up and helped Luo Fan up, speaking with righteous dignity. "Righteousness is our duty, and the Mongols have a national grudge against us. Saving you was just a matter of course, no need to worry about it."

"Your high virtue, doing good without expecting repayment, I admire you greatly! But I have a request... I humbly ask you to take me as a disciple. First, I can serve you loyally to repay your kindness, and second, I can learn skills to protect my country and avenge my dead family." Wait, Luo Fan suddenly thought of something. Quanzhen Taoists can't marry, right? I wonder if the system's "taking others' benefits" includes women. If it does, that would be a huge loss. Luo Fan's mind raced, and he came up with a plan. Thinking of how the system had tricked him into becoming a eunuch, he forced a few tears and said, "Mother, please forgive me for being unfilial. Your wish for a grandson I fear I cannot fulfill! In the face of national righteousness, I choose the greater good, but I hope you understand." He then bowed several times in the direction of his hometown, though he had no idea where it was, just choosing a random direction.

"This..." Wang Chuyi was somewhat hesitant.

"If you don't agree, I will kneel until you do. Rather than living a mundane life after leaving the mountain, I would rather learn skills. My mother often said that a good man should serve his country!" Luo Fan put on a determined face, his acting skills so good that he could have easily won an award in his previous life. Not going to film school would have been a waste of talent.

Luo Fan's "deep understanding of righteousness" deeply moved Wang Chuyi, who could no longer refuse and had to agree. "Since that's the case, I will take you as a disciple. However, since passing on the lineage is your mother's wish, I cannot go against it. You will start as a lay disciple. How does that sound?"

Luo Fan was overjoyed, thinking that Wang Chuyi was really reasonable. Since he was already kneeling, he quickly bowed again. However, the formal ceremony of becoming a disciple would require fasting, bathing, burning incense, and choosing an auspicious day, so Luo Fan couldn't be too eager.

"I'll introduce you to your two senior brothers first." Wang Chuyi pointed to the bearded Taoist. "This is your senior brother, Zhao Zhijin."

So this is Zhao Zhijin. Luo Fan quickly went to greet him, and Zhao Zhijin just nodded slightly.

"This is your senior brother, Cui Zhifang."

"Little Luo Fan greets Senior Brother Cui." Luo Fan quickly bowed.

Cui Zhifang smiled and nodded. "Work hard."

After meeting his two senior brothers, Wang Chuyi continued, "I am busy with my duties, so you should practice with your senior brothers regularly. I will come to test you when I have time."

"Thank you, Master!"

"Zhifang, take your junior brother to get two sets of Taoist robes."

"Yes, Master."

"Zhijin."

"Your disciple is here."

"Among the third-generation disciples, you have the highest martial arts skills. From now on, you will mainly be responsible for teaching your junior brother, Luo. Is that clear?"

"Your disciple understands."

......

In the main hall of Chongyang Palace, the seven disciples sat solemnly. After the tea ceremony and the formal ceremony, Luo Fan officially became a member of the Quanzhen Sect and began practicing Quanzhen martial arts.

Several days later.

"Vital energy full, the spirit shines in the capital... years of dust and dirt wiped away, the body shines in the void." In a small courtyard, the bearded middle-aged Taoist recited each line of the mantra, and Luo Fan performed the corresponding moves. Zhao Zhijin nodded in approval. "Good, Junior Brother Luo has been diligent and has made some progress with the basic techniques. From now on, except for the morning practice, you can practice on your own. If you have any questions, come to my room."

"Thank you, Senior Brother Zhao!" Luo Fan was not like Yang Guo, who would often defy Zhao Zhijin. Having lived in modern society for over twenty years, he was more skilled at flattery than people in this era. A series of well-placed compliments, combined with his generally good behavior, left even the narrow-minded Zhao Zhijin with nothing to say about his junior brother.

Over these days, Luo Fan had become more adept at using the system. Opening the system's skill panel, he found that he had practiced the Quanzhen Heart Method, Quanzhen Sword Technique, and Golden Goose Skill to the second level. As for the Exorcism Sword Technique, he had practiced it less due to Zhao Zhijin's guidance, and it was only at half the first level.

Luo Fan had somewhat given up on the Exorcism Sword Technique, thinking that it was better to use it than not. After all, having a trump card was never a bad thing.

The Quanzhen Sect managed lay disciples more loosely than formal disciples. Luo Fan planned to practice his sword skills for a few more days before starting to search for the Nine Yin Manual. Thinking of the Nine Yin Manual, Luo Fan felt a surge of excitement. According to the records of the "big shots" from his previous life, the Nine Yin Manual contained numerous martial arts principles and advanced skills, and was easy to obtain, making it the perfect choice for beginners.

One day, Luo Fan informed Zhao Zhijin that he was bored practicing in the palace and wanted to go to the mountains and forests to enjoy the scenery and practice his sword skills. Zhao Zhijin didn't care about such a small matter, but Luo Fan wanted to prevent any suspicion by acting openly and creating a false impression of being aboveboard.

Luo Fan remembered that in "The Return of the Condor Heroes," the exit of the ancient tomb's secret passage was in a very hidden cave at the foot of Chongyang Mountain. Since it was very hidden, it would be hard to find. Although he now had the opportunity to search, Luo Fan decided to focus on practicing for now. After all, sharpening the axe doesn't delay the cutting of wood. Improving his lightness skills would make it easier to find the Nine Yin Manual in the future.

Thinking of this, Luo Fan practiced the Golden Goose Skill alone in the forest. Although it was a basic lightness skill, it could be very powerful if practiced to a high level and greatly helped with internal cultivation. To be honest, Luo Fan didn't think much of the Quanzhen Heart Method and Quanzhen Sword Technique, but he practiced them diligently to build a solid foundation and because of Zhao Zhijin's constant supervision. Among all the low-level Quanzhen skills, only the Golden Goose Skill stood out.

Thus, in the following months, he spent most of his time running, meditating, and then running again in the forest. After several months, he had almost explored the entire foot of the mountain and had a cursory search for the hidden cave. Unfortunately, he found no clues about the cave. However, his months of hard work had raised his Golden Goose Skill to the fifth level, and his Quanzhen internal cultivation, which served as an auxiliary skill, had also reached the fifth level, surpassing many fourth-generation disciples. This could be considered a small achievement.

...