Starting from iron smelting

After hearing this, Liu Meng said, "It's not that I can't tell you. This matter... How should I tell you... You know... Anyway, this matter... It's not that I won't tell you... It's just... Oh, forget it, I'll tell you, put your ear close to me, and I'll tell you."

When Lu Xiuyuan heard Liu Meng hesitating, being cautious, and evasive, and saw that such a rough-looking man was actually so careful and prudent, he found the contrast novel and funny. It seemed that in this world of cultivating immortals, the long-term way was to be prudent and to talk less and observe more.

Lu Xiuyuan did as he was told, leaning his body sideways and stretching his ear over.

Liu Meng looked around cautiously, and after making sure that there was no one else around, he whispered, "Elder Xuanhuanzi is also a Jindan-stage cultivator, the second elder of the Juling Sect, and in charge of the sect's outer courtyard affairs."

Liu Meng paused, swallowed his saliva and said, "Elder Xuanhuanzi is the elder whose strength and status have improved the fastest in the sect in recent years. In the past ten years, he has not only successfully formed a pill, but also become the third elder of the sect and is in charge of the affairs of the outer courtyard."

Liu Meng's voice revealed a hint of awe, and he continued: "Moreover, Elder Xuanhuanzi is in charge of punishment, and he is very strict and harsh to people. If you commit a crime and fall into Xuanhuanzi's hands, you will not end up well." Liu Meng's frightened expression was clearly revealed.

Hearing this, Lu Xiuyuan couldn't help but shudder, and goose bumps appeared on his arms. Elder Xuanhuanzi was actually in charge of punishment, which made him feel that his previous conflict with Xuanhuanzi might cause a lot of trouble. Thinking of his previous sarcasm towards Xuanhuanzi, he felt a little regretful. If it weren't for the protection of his master Xuan Miaozi, he would have fallen under the punishment of Elder Xuanhuanzi long ago.

Lu Xiuyuan then said: "Thank you, Brother Liu Meng, for telling me so much today. I didn't know this when I first arrived. If you hadn't told me, I would have really been in trouble." There was a hint of gratitude in his tone.

Liu Meng shook his head and smiled bitterly: "Brother, we are all outer disciples (Lu Xiuyuan is an outsourced disciple). We have to help each other to gain a foothold in the sect. Don't worry too much. As long as you abide by the rules and practice well, life should be easy."

Lu Xiuyuan nodded, sensing Liu Meng's deep meaning. He knew that in this world of cultivating immortals, the relationship between brothers was extremely important. He felt grateful to Liu Meng. After all, in an unfamiliar environment, being able to receive guidance from an enthusiastic elder was a great help to him.

Lu Xiuyuan said: "Brother Liu Meng, let's go cut down the trees quickly, today's task has not been completed yet."

Liu Meng said, "Okay, you just came to work, you don't know the situation. The forest farm in the back mountain is huge, and the first priority is to ensure your own safety. There are many spirit beasts here and the terrain is complex, so you must protect yourself first."

"Okay, Brother Liu Meng, I can definitely protect myself," said Lu Xiuyuan.

Afterwards, Lu Xiuyuan followed Liu Meng all the way. Along the way, the mountain wind blew, and the fragrance of flowers came. Lu Xiuyuan couldn't help but look at the surrounding mountains and rivers. He seemed to be able to hear the birds singing in the mountains and feel the pulse of nature. Lu Xiuyuan couldn't help but sigh that the natural resources here were so rich, and they were not on the same level as the forest of the old hunter at that time.

Soon, they arrived at the work site, which was far from the sect. The air here was fresher and more moist, and the trees were more lush. Brother Liu Meng signaled Lu Xiuyuan to start chopping wood, and the two of them took out their axes and began their busy work.

Lu Xiuyuan swung the axe in his hand, and each stroke was accurate and powerful. He tried his best to keep the same rhythm as Brother Liu Meng. Although he was not as skilled as Brother Liu Meng in chopping wood, he gave 100% of his effort.

When Liu Meng saw that the newcomer Lu Xiuyuan could actually keep up with his pace, he originally thought that he was just an embroidered pillow, but he didn't expect that he still had some skills and strength.

Although both of them are cultivators, if they use their magic power to do simple physical labor such as chopping trees, they will quickly become exhausted, causing the leakage of spiritual power and damaging their cultivation. Therefore, the Juling Sect has a large number of low-level disciples and outer courtyard disciples engaged in this kind of simple physical labor.

The sound of the axe hitting the wood echoed in the mountains, as if playing a piece of hard work. Lu Xiuyuan felt his muscles gradually warm up, and he could feel the release of power every time he swung the axe. Although this kind of work is simple, it makes him immersed in it. He mastered the force-generating techniques at work, better controlled his body, and fully exerted the power of his muscles.

The sun shines through the gaps between the branches and leaves, creating mottled shadows. Standing in this lush forest, Lu Xiuyuan feels as if he has merged into the rhythm of nature, blending with the earth, trees, and air. His breathing, along with the rise and fall of the axe, seems to have become the most distant melody in the mountains.

Soon, a row of trees had been chopped down. Liu Meng waved his hand and said, "Stop, we have almost chopped down all the trees. These are enough. Let's take a break first and then continue."

Lu Xiuyuan immediately stopped the axe in his hand, feeling the pain and heat in his hand. He walked to Liu Meng with the axe, found a suitable piece of wood, and sat down next to Liu Meng. At this time, he realized that he was sweating profusely and his clothes were soaked.

"Brother Lu, your skills are improving rapidly." Liu Meng said to Lu Xiuyuan with concern.

“It’s mainly because of Brother Liu Meng’s good guidance that I was able to achieve this.” Lu Xiuyuan replied.

"Brother Lu, you are too modest. I can tell at first glance that you are a martial artist," said Liu Meng.

"No, no, I just thought about some power techniques, nothing much." After Lu Xiuyuan finished speaking, he changed the subject and asked, "Brother Liu Meng, I have a question for you, I wonder if you know the answer."

Liu Meng said, "Brother Lu, just tell me what you have to say. I will tell you everything I know."

"Brother Liu Meng is straightforward! I'd like to ask, Elder Xuanmiaozi is the second elder, and Elder Xuanhuanzi is the third elder, why is it that Elder Xuanhuanzi's status in the sect surpasses Xuanmiaozi, and he acts like the sect's number one elder." Lu Xiuyuan asked, wanting to hear how ordinary disciples of the Juling Sect evaluated their master and Xuanhuanzi.

After listening to this, Liu Meng thought for a while and said, "You have hit the nail on the head. When I first came here, I was just a young cultivator in the early stage of Qi training. Xuan Huanzi was still a cultivator in the middle stage of foundation building. Xuan Miaozi was the second elder of the sect and was in charge of most of the sect's affairs."

After a pause, Liu Meng continued, "When I first entered the sect, Elder Xuan Miaozi was in the limelight. He was not only a Jindan stage cultivator, but also had superb alchemy skills. His disciples were the best in the sect in terms of combat power and cultivation. At that time, they were known as the Thirteen Juling Immortals. The strongest of them, the eldest brother, was about to reach the Jindan stage and become an elder of the Juling Sect. The weakest one had a cultivation level of the middle stage of the foundation building stage. Until one day, an accident happened."