Li Changfeng put away the Spirit Measuring Disk, gave Ji An a few scrutinizing looks, and nodded slightly.
"Congratulations, Junior Brother. You are qualified to exchange for the fourth-layer Thick Earth Formula and enjoy the sect's preferential policy. Now, you may demonstrate Minor Rain."
Spiritual power flowed in orderly currents through Ji An's meridians. His hand seals shifted with practiced fluidity, spreading a peculiar rhythm into the air above the courtyard.
As his arm lifted, white mist gathered. Moments later, threads of rain beaded into a shimmering curtain, and water vapor spread in waves.
"Excellent!"
Li Changfeng praised aloud. From the sheer coverage alone, he could tell the spell had reached the stage of Great Accomplishment.
Moreover, he sensed a unique rhythm within the falling rain. It was clear this Junior Brother had developed his own insights into Minor Rain.
The two returned to the Administrative Hall. Li Changfeng clasped his hands and said:
"Junior Brother, wait here a moment while I check what sort of preferential terms you qualify for."
"Oh? Senior Brother, does the preferential policy vary?"
Ji An's heart leapt. That meant his treatment should be even better than Old Huang's.
"Of course. How could a disciple who achieves Great Accomplishment at forty years old receive the same terms as one who does so at twenty?"
Taking Ji An's jade token, Li Changfeng placed it on a white spirit disk to read the information stored within.
His gaze tightened slightly before smoothing over again, his face betraying no emotion.
Meanwhile, Ji An speculated eagerly about the discount he might get. Old Huang had paid 500 contribution points for Minor Rain, repaid over ten years. If Ji An could get it for, say, 300 contribution points with twenty years to pay it off, that wouldn't be unreasonable… right?
"Congratulations, Junior Brother Ji," Li Changfeng said, handing back the jade token.
"According to sect rules, for the two fourth-layer spell manuals you seek, you only need 200 contribution points each."
He paused, then added:
"And repayment may be spread across forty years."
Holy crap, the sect is generous!
Ji An's sense of belonging to the sect soared yet again. Two hundred contribution points were still a hefty price, the equivalent of ten spirit stones, but being able to repay it over forty years completely changed the picture.
Then a practical concern hit him. He realized he had forgotten to ask Old Huang about this.
"Senior Brother, if I repay over forty years, will I need to pay additional contribution points?"
"No," Li replied. "The sect has always been generous in rewarding talent. Once you sign the agreement, you can take the manuals with you.
But I must stress an important rule again: disciples are strictly forbidden from exchanging manuals privately or selling techniques outside the sect. Anyone who leaks them will be sent to the mines."
"Of course, I will abide by the sect's rules."
Li Changfeng's sternness faded, replaced with a warm smile like a spring breeze.
"So then, Junior Brother, how many years do you wish to set for repayment?"
Was that even a question? Of course, he'd choose the maximum term! Only a fool would shorten an interest-free loan.
"Forty years."
At 200 contribution points over forty years, that was only five points a year. For two spells, just ten points annually, no pressure at all.
"Very well. The fourth-layer manuals are not stored here in the main hall. Junior Brother, why don't you come with me to the Scripture Repository? We can sign the agreement there and collect the jade slips."
Ji An naturally agreed:
"Please lead the way, Senior Brother. I've never been to the Scripture Repository before; it will be good to broaden my horizons."
Li Changfeng walked in front, Ji An trailing half a step behind.
"I feel a kinship with you, Junior Brother. If you encounter difficulties in the future, come to me at the Administrative Hall. I, Li Changfeng, still hold a little sway among the Qi Refining disciples."
As he spoke, he took out a palm-sized jade pendant.
"I come from the Li clan of White Ape Mountain. Our family runs a few shops in Azure Cloud Immortal City. With this token, you'll be able to enjoy certain discounts."
"Thank you, Senior Brother, for your kindness. Ji An would be remiss to refuse. If ever there's anything you need from me, just say the word."
Ji An accepted the jade pendant openly. Since his senior was offering him this gesture of goodwill, to refuse it would only be disrespectful.
As for the future, if he could return the favor, he would; if not, he could at least speak well of the man. That's how social ties worked.
He had never heard of the Li Clan of White Ape Mountain, but he certainly knew of Azure Cloud Immortal City.
The immortal city sat at the border of the Golden Spirit Sect, Fallen Maple Valley, and Yuanhe Mountain, built upon a second-grade mid-tier spirit vein. It was home to countless cultivation families and tangled webs of power, yet none were powerful enough to control it alone.
So the three sects joined with the families to establish a massive immortal city, said to house over a hundred million rogue cultivators.
The sects ate the meat, the families gnawed the bones, and the rogue cultivators sipped the broth, yet all could coexist in relative peace.
Li Changfeng's expression softened further.
"Junior Brother, for someone so young to show such mastery over planting spells… Senior Brother here wishes you an early rise to the rank of high-grade spirit farmer."
The Li Clan of White Ape Mountain had its roots in medicine gardens. Seeking ties with promising farmers was second nature to him; otherwise, why would he remain in the Administrative Hall when he clearly had better prospects elsewhere?
The two arrived at the Scripture Repository. Ji An received the jade slips, signed the agreement, and took his leave.
Li Changfeng reminded him:
"Junior Brother, remember to pay your contribution points by this time next year, or the sect will impose penalties."
"Thank you for the reminder, Senior Brother."
The setting sun painted the sky with rosy clouds.
"Ah!"
Splash!
A figure fell from the sky into the lake, sending up a great spray.
Ji An surfaced, only to hear laughter ringing out.
"Haha! Junior Brother, that was the most graceful dive I've ever seen. For bringing me such joy, I won't hold it against you for scaring away the fish."
The sound of oars followed. A small boat drifted over, and a green bamboo pole stretched down toward him.
Ji An grabbed the pole, climbed aboard, and recognized the man. He cupped his fists.
"To make Senior Brother Liang laugh, that is my honor."
"You know me?"
"I once visited your fish shop with Senior Brother Wei Songnian. Your 'one fish, four dishes' was truly exquisite.
The talisman bird Senior Brother Wei gave me just met its end today. Meeting you here feels like fate."
Ji An gave a self-deprecating smile, wrung out his robe, and put it back on.
That day, he had clearly seen the man's scarred forehead poking above the stall, and the image stuck in his mind.
Liang Qiu tossed the bamboo pole aside, face full of curiosity.
"What happened? Tell me everything."
Ji An's face twisted bitterly as he explained the matter of the talisman bird. He sighed.
"I was greedy, thought I could just barely make it home. Who would've thought…"
But life was nothing more than laughing at others and being laughed at in turn. Ji An had thick skin and an easy heart, so he didn't begrudge Liang Qiu his gloating. If their roles were reversed, he'd laugh even louder.
"Senior Brother Wei giving gifts? That's rare. Usually, he haggles with me over a single spirit crystal for fishing float glue."
Liang Qiu stopped laughing and said,
"Junior Brother, it'll be dark soon. Getting you back on time may be tricky. Why don't you come with me to Azure Water Market first, then we can figure things out?"
"I'll trouble you for that, Senior Brother. Without you, I'd probably have to swim back."
Ji An clasped his hands in thanks and helped row the boat.
Glancing at the catch, he saw a few golden carp each over a foot long and praised,
"Senior Brother, a fine haul!"
He didn't recognize spirit fish, but calling them "fine" was never wrong.
Liang Qiu smiled with pride.
"My ability to fish spirit carp is the only reason I can stand firm in the sect. Once I save enough contribution points, I'll be able to rent a pond and raise them myself."
His eyes gleamed with hope as he spoke.
Ji An looked at his weathered, sun-darkened skin and smiled softly.
Life might be bitter, but as long as there was hope, it was enough.
Liang Qiu began to sing an old song. Egrets skimmed across the lake, talisman birds and spirit cranes soared overhead, their black silhouettes cutting across the sunset.