When it's time to spend, you must spend; the path is paramount, and now is not the time for frugality.
Thinking this, Chen Sheng immediately took out five hundred Spirit Stones from his Storage Pouch and discreetly handed them into Zhao Jinhua's sleeve.
"Please, Senior Brother, guide me!"
Seeing the Spirit Stones, Zhao Jinhua's heart skipped a beat. This Junior Brother Chen is indeed generous. His horse-like face showed noticeable hesitation.
Before long, Zhao Jinhua firmly declined the Spirit Stones, speaking with profound meaning:
"What is Junior Brother doing? Looking down on Senior Brother? I respect Junior Brother's Alchemy Skills, and naturally won't hide anything. You and I, as brothers, should get along well in the future."
Hearing Zhao Jinhua emphasize the words 'Alchemy Skills' and 'get along well'.
Chen Sheng immediately understood. The other party didn't want Spirit Stones but was investing in personal connections. He never expected his favor could be worth so much?
It seems he had underestimated himself!
With this in mind, Chen Sheng was also intent on making some connections within the Sect. He wasn't afraid of owing favors, as there was always a demand for mutual aid. He nodded solemnly:
"I will remember this lesson from Senior Brother in my heart."
Hearing this, Zhao Jinhua was immediately pleased:
"Junior Brother, listen to me slowly..."
...
Dharma Transmission Pavilion.
The first floor mostly contains Tier One Alchemy Dao inheritances. Starting from the second floor, there are many ordinary Tier Two inheritances, and the third floor contains more refined Tier Two inheritances.
Chen Sheng entered the pavilion. A layer of Spirit Light circulated, and countless Jade Scrolls were neatly arranged on both sides.
He quickly scanned them, marveling at the profound heritage of the Golden Core Upper Sect. He was almost dazzled.
Without stopping, he ascended the Ink Jade Steps to the second floor, browsing around. Then he climbed up to the third floor, finding fewer inheritances here, but still several hundred.
"Three Yang Pill Scripture - Fire Control Chapter", "Hundred Herbs Encyclopedia", "Pill Furnace Initial Understanding Record"...
These Tier Two inheritances, rare to see in the outside world and even capable of causing bloody conflict, now lay before Chen Sheng, ready for the taking.
His breath caught slightly—Hundred Herbs, Fire Technique, Condensing Pill... To be honest, Chen Sheng wanted them all. Only after a while did he suppress his excitement.
"There will be opportunities in the future; for now, I must choose the inheritance most suitable for me."
Meanwhile, Chen Sheng slowly recalled Zhao Jinhua's 'golden advice'.
"Besides this opportunity to choose freely."
"Normally, every inheritance here requires 'Contribution Points' to exchange for. The more Contribution Points, the more profound and high-level the corresponding inheritance."
"Some people get dazzled when they enter and don't know what to choose, often picking the inheritance with the highest entrance 'Contribution Points' right away."
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"This is stepping into a pit completely. These sophisticated inheritances might be exquisite, but can you learn them?"
"Just like there's a Pill Collection Technique on the third floor, created by a Tier Three Grandmaster. It's extremely profound, but its entry difficulty is also very high. Some seasoned Tier Two Alchemists haven't even gotten started, let alone us."
"A few years ago, a Senior Brother thought himself extraordinarily talented and ended up wasting over ten years."
"Although Junior Brother Chen has extraordinary Alchemy Talent, there's no need to take such risks."
"I have a few inheritance recommendations—those with low entry difficulty and a high upper limit, plus many annotations from predecessors to guide you further..."
This favor from Chen Sheng wasn't given in vain. Zhao Jinhua's detailed explanations were exhaustive and considerate, and now it was time for his choice.
...
On the east side of the third floor.
Chen Sheng picked up two scrolls of inheritance.
"Profound Essence Pill Register·Foundation Chapter"
"Yin Yang Harmonization Chart - Condensing Pill Division"
These two are the inheritances with the highest 'Contribution Points' on this floor, both part of Tier Three inheritances, divided out yet still classified as Tier Two High Grade.
Chen Sheng carefully examined the basic descriptions of these two inheritances, his eyes brightening, internally sighing:
"Truly created by a Tier Three Grandmaster, indeed profound and unfathomable."
Then he shook his head, resolutely putting down these two inheritances. He opted for prudence.
Before long, Chen Sheng selected a Fire Control inheritance from the dozen or so recommendations from Zhao Jinhua.
Alchemy Skill, Fire Technique is first.
Chen Sheng's 'Thousand Threads Technique' had already been cultivated to the Peak of Myriad Strands, reaching its limit.
Now, a more advanced Fire Technique could rapidly enhance his Alchemy Skill.
"Circulation Star Melting Furnace"
A Tier Two Middle Grade inheritance, comprising four layers, progressive in nature. If cultivated to Great Success, it can combine one's Mana with Flame, creating a Flame Domain within the furnace resembling a miniature Circulation of stars.
In it, flames of different attributes can form, truly profound!
...
Outside the Dharma Transmission Pavilion.
Zhao Jinhua saw Chen Sheng coming out and immediately approached, noticing that the inheritance Chen Sheng registered was indeed one of the ones he recommended.
Chen Sheng solemnly cupped his fists:
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"Thank you for the golden advice, Senior Brother!"
Zhao Jinhua's face beamed with a satisfied smile:
"You and I, brothers, there's a long road ahead!"
In the world, young talents achieving astonishing accomplishments are often unruly and headstrong, but someone like Chen Sheng, humble and open-minded, is a rarity.
This was what Zhao Jinhua thought.
His evaluation of Chen Sheng rose significantly!
Since he had given a favor, he might as well deliver it thoroughly!
Zhao Jinhua made up his mind:
"Come! I'll accompany you to the Household Affairs Hall; new disciples must take on appointments, and your first duty should not be taken lightly!"
His eyes gleamed:
"I happen to know a couple of Steward Senior Brothers there to help you find a better position!"
...
The Sect isn't a welfare institution, and naturally won't nurture disciples for free. These daily affairs are part of the disciples' responsibilities.
Household Affairs Hall, bustling at this moment, cultivators on duty coming and going endlessly, the notice board's light screen scrolling with various duties, locations, and Contribution Points constantly.
"Area A, number 17 medicinal herb garden care, annual supply of 180 Contribution Points..."
"Artifact Hall Earth Fire Assistant Duty, annual supply of 300 points (requires pure Fire Spiritual Power)..."
Chen Sheng walked along, finding it 'curious'.
Zhao Jinhua directly led him to a secluded little pavilion, seeking out an acquaintance.
Soon, Zhao Jinhua successfully utilized his connections to secure for Chen Sheng a 'well-paid, light-duty' affair.
—Teaching at the Alchemy Alliance, only needing sixty days of work per year, for five hundred Contribution Points, which can also be exchanged for five hundred Lower Grade Spirit Stones.
The Steward took Chen Sheng's Identity Jade Token, quickly tapping on a Crystal Stele.
Moments later, a new Profound Task Token floated before Chen Sheng.
Zhao Jinhua asked with a bit of pride:
"Junior Brother Chen, how about this duty?"
No need for exposure to the elements or herb garden care, no Spiritual Power depletion from watching over Earth Fire, away from mundane Sect chores, and with the vast network of the Alchemy Alliance to expand.
"It's excellent! Thank you for your effort, Senior Brother!"
Chen Sheng received the token, feeling its warmth; this easy, stable, and richly rewarded post was precisely what he needed now.
Zhao Jinhua smiled:
"As long as Junior Brother is satisfied!"
Then he became serious, lowering his voice:
"Remember this heartfelt advice, Junior Brother—never exchange your Contribution Points for Spirit Stones."
"In the Sect, Contribution Points are the hard currency; Cultivation Techniques, Spiritual Elixirs, Spiritual Artifacts, including Foundation Establishment Pills, can all be exchanged for with Contribution Points."
"Even if you lack Spirit Stones, don't convert through the Sect's channels; it's too much of a loss. Find familiar and reliable Senior Brothers and Sisters for private exchanges; you can get a doubled exchange."
Finally, Zhao Jinhua repeatedly emphasized:
"Of course, if you can avoid it, don't use them; save up for a Foundation Establishment Pill, that's the most crucial."
Chen Sheng nodded earnestly. Through the Sect's channels, twenty thousand Contribution Points could be exchanged for one Foundation Establishment Pill, comparing the scramble outside, he naturally understood the value of Contribution Points.
Lastly, Zhao Jinhua whispered a reminder:
"Junior Brother, you should get close to Elder Li, visit when necessary, ask for guidance when needed. If it weren't for his high evaluation of you, this lucrative position wouldn't have been yours even if I intervened."
"Of course, Elder Li's high evaluation shows his great expectations for you..."
As he spoke, he patted Chen Sheng's shoulder, his eyes meaningful.
Chen Sheng nodded seriously:
"Thank you for the reminder, Senior Brother!"