Cultivation Begins with Skill Points-Chapter 206: Guest Elder

Zhong Lin tapped the storage bag in his hand, his face full of satisfaction.

People with skills never worry about having a meal wherever they go. After selling these elixirs to the Shuiyun Building, the spirit stones Zhong Lin spent on purchasing medicinal herbs earlier were all recovered, and even tenfold returned.

This is what skill means.

"Would Pill Master Zhong be willing to become a Guest Elder at our Shuiyun Building?"

Manager Wu, after delivering the spirit stones, asked.

"Pill Master Zhong, you may not know this since you’re new to Purple Cloud City. The Shuiyun Building is operated by the Purple Cloud Sect, and it is the largest gathering place for pill masters in the entire city. As long as you become a Guest Elder of Shuiyun Building, no one will dare to provoke you, for you will have the protection of the Purple Cloud Sect. Moreover, you can purchase herbs at an internal price in the future, and there will be monthly exchanges of pill master experiences to improve your alchemical skills."

Zhong Lin paused his actions, feeling a surge of joy inside. All his hardworking alchemy was precisely for such an opportunity.

The Purple Cloud Sect dominates the 81st island; joining them is the only way to have a better springboard. Moreover, the highest alchemist legacy on the Xuan Gui Continent only reaches the fourth grade, but Zhong Lin must join an organization to advance to a fifth-grade alchemist.

Suppressing his inner excitement, Zhong Lin deliberately furrowed his brow and hesitated, "Rights and duties are always equal. May I ask, Manager Wu, if I become a Guest Elder at Shuiyun Building, what will I need to contribute? Will I be restricted in any way?"

Manager Wu, hearing this, realized there was a turning point, joyfully said, "Pill Master Zhong, you worry too much. The constraints on a Guest Elder are not significant. Only when one advances to a steward position does the Shuiyun Building have strict constraints."

"Can the Guest Elder status be upgraded?" Zhong Lin asked curiously.

"Of course, the Guest Elders of Shuiyun Building are divided into three levels, and depending on the level, you have access to purchasing resources. As a fourth-grade alchemist, Pill Master Zhong can be a second-level Guest Elder. Other than fulfilling a portion of the annual alchemy requirements, there are no other demands. The most critical point is that you cannot stand idly by when the Shuiyun Building faces a crisis. Of course, it’s not about going to battle; instead, it’s about crafting more elixirs during times of war," Manager Wu explained.

The Luoxing Islands have never been a safe place, more focused on the survival of the fittest than the Xuan Gui Continent. Conflicts over resources frequently occur between islands.

However, there is restraint because the Seven Stars Sect oversees them, though daily pressures still exist.

After some discussion, Zhong Lin eventually became a Guest Elder of Shuiyun Building, recorded his true name, signed the contract, received a wooden plaque carved with a sword-shaped font, and got a set of robes.

Finally, he was respectfully escorted out of the Shuiyun Building by Manager Wu.

...

"Brother Zhong is back. You... Brother Zhong is actually an alchemist?"

Upon returning to Wind Willow Alley, Zhong Lin saw Gao Xin and his wife, along with the pearl gatherer Tang Xueyuan, conversing in the alley. It’s unclear what they were speaking about as all three wore smiles, especially Tang Xueyuan, whose smile was as radiant as ever.

Tang Xueyuan, dressed in a green dress, appeared to be in her twenties or thirties. Her oval face carried a gentle and noble temperament, her skin extremely fair to the point of excess, caused by long periods underwater without exposure to sunlight.

The three casually greeted Zhong Lin upon his arrival, but were taken aback when they saw Zhong Lin’s gray-brown robe.

The robe itself wasn’t noteworthy, but more importantly, it bore the mark of four purple clouds at the chest.

This is a unique symbol for alchemists of the Purple Cloud Sect, and no one dares impersonate it on the 81st island, where the sect resides.

Zhong Lin nodded, "Brother Gao, Miss Tang."

Gao Xin was utterly shocked, "Brother Zhong, you... you’re an alchemist, a fourth-grade alchemist at that."

Xu Bin stood in front of her husband, divine light flowing in her eyes. Though she said nothing, her eyes were fixed intently on Zhong Lin.

Zhong Lin smiled and said, "I just arrived in Purple Cloud City and only joined the Shuiyun Building today. I had no intention of hiding it. Please forgive me, Brother Gao."

"No, no, Brother Zhong, you are such a young fourth-grade alchemist, a true genius. I never expected old Gao here to have an alchemist as a neighbor. No one would believe me if I told them," Gao Xin said warmly, his tone filled with compliment, regretting his previously indifferent tone, not seizing the chance to befriend him earlier.

Tang Xueyuan looked at Zhong Lin with some sorrow, "Master Zhong hid it well! An alchemist, and a fourth-grade alchemist no less, is quite an extraordinary figure in Purple Cloud City, unlike me who can only gather pearls each day, exposed to the elements, earning barely any gold or silver, let alone spirit stones. I can hardly even afford rent now."

For a moment, Zhong Lin didn’t know how to respond. Was she suggesting he cover her rent, or perhaps... live together?

Zhong Lin glanced at Tang Xueyuan’s attractive figure, smiled, exchanged a few casual words, then returned to his courtyard and closed the door.

Gao Xin sighed, "Truly, people can’t be judged by appearance. Who would have thought Brother Zhong is an alchemist? Had I known when he first moved in, I’d have made friends with him, maybe even get a discount on the elixirs needed for cultivation."

"It’s not too late now, but it might be harder in the coming days. It’s known that alchemists are very wealthy. Who knows how much longer Master Zhong will stay here,"

Tang Xueyuan licked her red lips, a burning look in her eyes, akin to spotting prey.

"Husband, didn’t you catch a horned pomfret yesterday? How about I cook personally tonight and invite Master Zhong over," Xu Bin softly suggested.

Gao Xin’s eyes lit up, and he hugged Xu Bin’s slim waist, kissed her fiercely, and laughed heartily, "Wife, you are thoughtful, I’ll go invite him right now."

"Horned pomfret? Big Brother Gao is generous," Tang Xueyuan exclaimed in surprise.

In the sea, there are mutant beasts and treasure fish; the horned pomfret is one such treasure fish, with horns on its head like those of a cow, as hard as Vajra, and very sharp. Its body contains a special bloodline, rich in spiritual energy, which greatly benefits martial artists when consumed. Its price remains high in Purple Cloud City, costing at least five spirit stones for one.

Gao Xin laughed, waving his hand, "This thing is for us to eat anyway. If we can befriend Zhong Lin, it’s worth its value, Sister Tang, join us tonight."

"Thank you Big Brother Gao," Tang Xueyuan beamed.

With that, she swayed her hips and returned to her courtyard, her figure so full that Gao Xin couldn’t look away.

Perhaps it was an illusion.

He noticed the curves seemed even fuller, as if he could vaguely see...

Lost in thought, a sharp pain suddenly came from his waist, not knowing when Two-finger Zen had climbed up, barely twisted yet causing immense pain.

"Does it look nice?"

"Wife, calm down, wife, calm down, I wasn’t looking!"

"Is it round?"

"It’s round... ouch... pain."