That idiot from the Sword Sect turned out to be a lucky charm.

Lin Zhifeng said, "I have some Nascent Soul Pills here, all of them high-grade. Not only are they almost free of toxicity, but they also greatly increase the success rate of Nascent Soul formation. If you're interested, each of you can take one. After we're done here today, you should all go back and cultivate in seclusion. Once you reach the late Golden Core stage, swallow these Nascent Soul Pills, and you'll definitely be able to break through to the Nascent Soul stage."

Lin Zhifeng had already exchanged more than a dozen Nascent Soul Pills in the system shop, and now he could give one to each of the brothers present.

Those present, such as Lin Jun and Feng Ping, come from families with considerable wealth. Obtaining a Nascent Soul Pill is not impossible, but it would still cost a considerable amount.

That's the only downside of the Sword Sect—it's too poor!

Why are we poor?

First of all, maintaining a sword is incredibly expensive. Sword cultivators spend most of their money on their swords. Upgrading a spirit sword can easily cost several thousand spirit stones; a swordsman truly spends their entire life working for the "sword boss"!

Secondly, the Sword Sect consists entirely of sword cultivators. While they are undoubtedly the strongest in combat, there are very few members in other professions. For example, alchemists, talisman masters, and formation masters... their numbers can be counted on one hand.

Since their own sect doesn't have it, they have to go out and buy it when they need it, which will definitely cost more, making them even poorer. This creates a vicious cycle.

Since Lin Zhifeng was willing to give them this benefit, why would anyone refuse? So, one by one, everyone went to Lin Zhifeng and received a Nascent Soul Pill.

Before Lin Zhifeng could say anything, Lin Jun spoke first: "Brothers, let me say a few words. We're gathered here today thanks to Xiao Linzi and Feng Ping, and now we've even obtained Xiao Linzi's precious pills. When we get back, we should all focus on cultivating diligently, or don't blame us for leaving him behind after we successfully reach the Nascent Soul stage."

Everyone laughed and said, "No, don't worry, Senior Brother Lin, we will definitely work hard to cultivate."

Lin Jun continued, "Little Linzi doesn't treat us brothers like outsiders, so we can't let him down. Everyone, keep this matter of obtaining the Nascent Soul Pill a secret. Come to me one by one in a bit, and I'll make sure you all swear an oath. First, you're not allowed to tell anyone else; second, no one can take it and resell it. I'm warning you now, if anyone tries to scheme against me, don't blame me for being ruthless."

Everyone hurriedly said, "No, no!"

After Lin Jun finished speaking, he first made a vow to Lin Zhifeng against his inner demons. Then he called each of his brothers up to make the same vow.

Lin Zhifeng was quite satisfied with Lin Jun's understanding nature. This was good; it seemed he hadn't misjudged him. Since they were both sensible and understanding people, they could go further together in the future.

After everyone had made their vows to their inner demons, Lin Jun said to Lin Zhifeng, "Little Lin, among us, you have the highest talent. Could you spare some time to tutor us? Otherwise, you'll easily reach the Nascent Soul stage while we're still lagging behind. Wouldn't that be a waste of time?"

Lin Zhifeng said, "I'm only at the mid-stage of the Golden Core realm. It would be presumptuous of me to try and guide everyone. However, I can help you identify each of your biggest problems and then create a cultivation plan tailored to your individual circumstances."

Everyone was overjoyed. This was the top student helping with their homework! It was much better than being completely clueless. After all, they had already struggled to get this far thanks to their talent.

At this moment, Lin Jun said to his brothers, "We can't just take and use Xiao Linzi for free. I have a suggestion: if we are lucky enough to break through to the Nascent Soul stage, we should give the most valuable things we get from our first trip to the secret realm to Lin Zhifeng to repay his kindness to us. What do you all think?"

This is essentially spending tomorrow's money to do today's work. Naturally, no one objected.

Lin Zhifeng readily accepted. It was best that these people were grateful and repaying his kindness. He wouldn't forget to include them in any good things to come.

They drank until the restaurant closed that day before parting ways. Lin Zhifeng and Lin Jun exchanged many heartfelt words, which deepened their friendship.

Lin Zhifeng returned home half-drunk, but he didn't forget to check the system's tasks.

As expected, the task related to the sect competition has been completed.

This time, getting tenth place earned me an additional ten luck points.

Lin Zhifeng was very satisfied with the reward.

Then the system issued a new task: improve your cultivation to the Nascent Soul stage, and you will be rewarded with fifty luck points upon completion.

Lin Zhifeng had already planned to go into seclusion to cultivate and break through to the Nascent Soul stage after the sect competition. The fact that the system issued this task at this time meant that he had chosen the right path.

After receiving his assignment, Lin Zhifeng went to bed early.

Before going into seclusion, he still had to guide his brothers, otherwise even with the Nascent Soul Pills produced by the system, they might not be able to break through to the Nascent Soul stage.

"Sigh," Lin Zhifeng sighed.

The worries I'm having now are just like those of a guild leader in the original game: in order to run multiplayer dungeons, I have to spend money (Nascent Soul Pills) and put in effort (tutoring struggling students in their cultivation).

But there's nothing we can do; multiplayer dungeons are just as rewarding. No pain, no gain, and thankfully, these guys seem to be doing pretty well for now.

Shortly after that day, the sect held an awards ceremony. All nine elders of the sect attended.

This conference recognizes disciples from both the outer and inner sects, as well as those at the Foundation Establishment, Golden Core, and Nascent Soul stages.

Lin Zhifeng, the lucky one, also enjoyed his turn on the podium. The nine elders were quite satisfied with him and took turns praising him.

In the end, Lin Zhifeng received the following rewards: one hundred low-grade spirit stones; twenty initial-stage pills; twenty basic healing pills; one hundred-year-old spirit herb; and one thousand pieces of water-type spirit ore.

There were quite a few items, but they weren't of much use to Lin Zhifeng.

For example, he got tens of thousands of low-grade spirit stones from the annulment of his engagement. He doesn't have any major expenses now; apart from spending some money on medicine, everything else is stored in his system inventory.

There's also the Initial Essence Pill, which can replenish a small amount of spiritual energy for cultivators below the Nascent Soul stage (excluding the Nascent Soul stage). Since Lin Zhifeng plans not to go out before reaching the Nascent Soul stage, he probably won't need this medicine.

That basic healing pill can treat minor injuries and stop bleeding, no problem. However, Lin Zhifeng has high-grade healing pills available through the system shop, so he doesn't really value the basic one.

As for the hundred-year-old spiritual herbs, he didn't know how to refine pills, so he wouldn't need them. However, he could keep them for now, in case the system unlocked the pill-refining function for him someday?

That water-based spirit ore can be used to upgrade weapons, so it's a pretty good item.

Unfortunately, one of his two high-level spirit swords had different attributes, and the other was unusable. The reason was that the materials needed to upgrade high-level spirit swords had to be rare.

If this were in the game Lin Zhifeng used to play, the water-type spirit ore that the sect had just given him would be equivalent to blue-grade materials. However, upgrading his spirit sword would require at least orange-grade materials.

Lin Zhifeng's vision went black upon realizing this. Just moments ago he had been secretly smug, thinking he had plenty of spirit stones, but now he was completely humbled.

After receiving the award, Lin Zhifeng made a promise with his friends—he would help each of them develop a training plan for a week.

Since no one wanted him to run around, they all arranged to meet him in his courtyard.

Among Lin Jun and his group, those with decent talent, like Lin Jun, are particularly playful, so half of them are still in the early or middle stages of the Golden Core realm.

These are the people who are best guided; they're not incapable, they're just lazy. All we need to do is improve their self-motivation in cultivation.

Lin Zhifeng's specific approach was to paint a rosy picture for them, explaining the benefits of reaching the Nascent Soul stage: for example, being able to travel to major city-states; meet girls from other sects; and bravely venture into secret realms to obtain various rare and precious treasures...

These are like carrots dangling in front of a little donkey; Lin Jun and his friends are really looking forward to them. They don't even need to look at them; they just know they need to work hard.

There were also a few who simply lacked talent, like Feng Ping, about four or five of them. Lin Zhifeng gave each of them a Wisdom-Enhancing Pill he had redeemed from the system shop. After taking it, these people felt their intelligence significantly improve. They could then be dealt with in the same way as Lin Jun's group.

The most difficult ones were actually those few who were in the late stage of the Golden Core realm.