Longevity: Starting as a menial servant in the Green Wood Sect

Han Qingsong withdrew his gaze, and the wisp of Xuan Yin silk at his fingertips turned into dust in his hand and scattered with the wind.

"Dual cultivation of Yin and Wood, nourishing the array with essence and blood. Although the method is unorthodox, it is the righteous path as it can produce Xuan Yin silk of this quality."

Han Qingsong's tone was indifferent, as if he were evaluating an inanimate object, "This Youying Valley is hereby designated as a Class B resource point of the Spirit Plant Hall, effective immediately. Furthermore, the area within a five-mile radius is designated as a forbidden zone. Anyone who enters without an elder's token will be executed."

Zhao Feng, who was kneeling to the side, suddenly stiffened, and the dough twitched uncontrollably twice.

Ghost Valley has been upgraded to a Class B resource point.

This means that Youying Valley will be directly under the jurisdiction of the Spirit Plant Hall, and every thread of silk and every cocoon produced will be registered and supplied directly to the inner sect. As the outer sect manager, he can only watch helplessly and can forget about getting any profit from it.

His private property was confiscated.

"Zhao Feng." Han Qingsong's voice did not soften because of Zhao Feng's compliance.

"Disciple is here." Zhao Feng lowered his head even further, his fingernails digging deep into the soil.

"As the manager of District C, you should have your cultivation abolished and be expelled from the sect for such a major incident as the demonic cultivator's tunnel within your jurisdiction."

Zhao Feng felt ice-cold all over, and cold sweat instantly soaked through his back.

"Considering your hard work over the years, even if you haven't achieved anything great, and since the mulberry grove hasn't been destroyed, you can be spared the death penalty." Han Qingsong waved his sleeve, and a blue jade slip and two bottles of pills landed in front of Zhao Feng. "You are fined three years' salary. During these three years, you must cooperate with this newly promoted 'Junior Brother Gu' to guard the outer defense line. If there is any further mishap with this batch of Xuan Yin Silk, you can bring your own head to face me."

"Junior Brother Gu...?"

Zhao Feng looked up in astonishment, his gaze somewhat vacant as he stared at the servant lying on the rock, half-dead.

Ignoring Zhao Feng's astonishment, Han Qingsong took out a wooden waist tag engraved with the words "Outer Sect" and casually tossed it, along with a standard magic sword, next to Gu An.

"Clatter".

The waist tag landed with a crisp sound.

"Gu An has rendered meritorious service in protecting the valley and possesses secret techniques. Effective immediately, he is promoted to outer disciple and placed under the command of the Spirit Plant Hall."

Han Qingsong looked down at you with the same disdain one might have for a domesticated ant. "From now on, you will be in full charge of guarding Youying Valley. On the first day of each month, someone will come to collect the silk. If the quota is met, the sect will bestow healing pills to prolong your life; if not..."

He didn't mention the consequences, but Gu An knew them very well.

If the output is insufficient, the "life-extending" medicine will run out, and the lie of the so-called "essence and blood feeding array" will become a real death warrant.

This is a shackle called a reward, which is both an opportunity and a risk.

Gu An struggled to reach out his bloodstained hand and grasp the cold wooden plaque.

There was no elation, only the heavy feeling of surviving a catastrophe.

From a menial servant to an outer disciple, it seemed like a meteoric rise, but in reality, it meant going from being Zhao Feng's personal slave to becoming a consumable resource for the entire sect. But he had no choice; it was currently his only way to survive.

"Disciple... thanks Elder for his grace." Gu An's voice was weak, but he gripped the token tightly. "Disciple will... dedicate himself to the cause until his dying breath."

"Um."

Han Qingsong was quite satisfied with this attitude. A good-for-nothing who was willing to overdraw his life force just to survive was the easiest to control.

Without another word, the azure flying sword beneath his feet hummed, and he transformed into a long rainbow, instantly piercing through the clouds and disappearing into the horizon.

Foundation Establishment cultivators come quickly and leave quickly.

For Han Qingsong, this was nothing more than dealing with a trivial mundane matter. As for how the two people in the valley would get along, that was a matter between insects.

The valley returned to deathly silence.

The wind blew through the withered mulberry grove, making a mournful, sobbing sound.

Gu An lay prone on the large rock, clutching the outer sect token in his hand, not in a hurry to get up. He could feel a cold, venomous gaze fixed intently on his back.

a long time.

A rustling sound arose.

Zhao Feng slowly stood up from the mud.

He first patted the mud off his knees slowly and deliberately, then straightened his somewhat disheveled steward's robe.

With his movements, the spiritual pressure of the sixth level of Qi Refining was released without reservation, surging within the enclosed valley.

"Junior Brother Gu."

Zhao Feng spoke, his voice no longer filled with the previous fear, but instead with a chilling intimacy, "Impressive tactics."