Chapter 103: You Are Not from the Same World
Chapter 103: Chapter 103: You Are Not from the Same World
"So, you want to push your luck and try for an early Foundation Establishment? So be it. A young man should have some grit. Since you’ve made your decision, I will help you achieve it!"
"If I’d had your courage back in the day, I wouldn’t be stuck at the Foundation Establishment Early Stage now!"
"Wait a moment. I’ll write you a letter of recommendation right now to help with the arrangements. But whether you choose a Medicinal Garden, a mine, or a place like the Pill Hall, and whether you ultimately succeed—that will be up to you!"
Fu Hongchang was taken aback for a moment, then sighed softly, but ultimately nodded in agreement.
The Demon Abyss was extremely dangerous, its Spiritual Veins thoroughly polluted, yet it was also filled with all kinds of opportunities.
For instance, there were many special Medicinal Materials, Ores, and Demonized Beast Materials there.
Furthermore, most artisans didn’t dare go over there.
As a result, artisans there were in high demand and received excellent benefits.
Once an Alchemy Master arrived, not only would they have access to a variety of cheap ingredients, but the elixirs they refined would be in high demand, most selling for a premium.
In addition, the Sect was offering an extra subsidy to Qi Cultivation Disciples this time, amounting to as much as one thousand Contribution Points or Low Grade Spirit Stones annually.
Therefore, as long as one could make it back alive, they were basically guaranteed to achieve something; the only difference was the scale of their achievements.
Furthermore, although Demonic Qi ran rampant there, the major Immortal Sects had long ago developed special Arrays and Elixirs that could resist and purify the Demonic Qi to a certain extent.
Important locations like the Medicinal Gardens and mines there were protected by these types of Arrays year-round.
And due to the special environment, many of the Medicinal Gardens and mines were Tier Two.
Thus, it wasn’t impossible to practice Cultivation there; it was just less efficient.
"Thank you, Senior!"
Zhang Chi was overjoyed and finally let out a sigh of relief.
After that, Fu Hongchang immediately took out a brush and paper. With swift, elegant strokes, he wrote a letter, which Zhang Chi hurriedly accepted and stored away.
The two then chatted a while longer, during which Fu Hongchang stressed some important precautions for traveling to the Demon Abyss.
After all, as a Foundation Establishment Cultivator, he too had been stationed at the Demon Abyss back in the day. Although it wasn’t for long, he still knew a thing or two about it.
This intel was at the Foundation Establishment Level, so it would definitely be of great help to Zhang Chi.
Zhang Chi humbly committed it all to memory and asked questions. After thanking him again, he finally bid farewell to Fu Hongchang and headed for the Sect Hall.
"Senior Brother Zhao Zijian? Long time no see!"
When he arrived, Zhang Chi didn’t see Zhong Yu, but he did spot another acquaintance among the disciples on duty.
"Yes, it has been a long time, Junior Brother Zhang. I can’t believe you lasted more than three years in the Earth Fire Hall. And you’re about to become a Tier One Upper Grade Alchemist, too. I’m impressed!" Zhao Zijian replied with a smile.
After Fu Hongchang sent word, the Foundation Establishment Steward here immediately notified the disciples. Thus, Zhao Zijian already knew Zhang Chi was coming and had looked up his latest status in advance.
Of course, the part about his alchemy skill being on the verge of a breakthrough was something Fu Hongchang had deliberately included in the message to talk Zhang Chi up.
This way, whatever Zhang Chi did would go more smoothly.
"Senior Brother Zhao, you flatter me. I’m the one who’s impressed that you’re on duty here!" Zhang Chi said humbly.
He was telling the truth. The work here was easy and the benefits were good. Most Outer Disciples could never get this post, and even a few Inner Sect Disciples would occasionally take part.
Of course, the Inner Sect Disciples didn’t care about the benefits. They came mainly to burnish their credentials and learn how the Sect Hall operated, to prevent a future where they became high-ranking members of the Sect without understanding the lower levels.
"Haha, I just got lucky."
Zhao Zijian laughed heartily.
As they spoke, the two didn’t forget about the matter at hand. Soon, Zhao Zijian had successfully canceled Zhang Chi’s original assignment.
After that, Zhang Chi registered to go to the Demon Abyss.
Since there wasn’t much competition, Zhang Chi’s application was approved on the spot after Zhao Zijian submitted it.
"I didn’t expect you to have such guts, Junior Brother. I’m impressed. But you must be cautious when you get there. If things get too tough, just come back early."
Zhao Zijian was a little surprised by this, but he didn’t say much, and he certainly didn’t suspect anything.
In fact, the Sect’s subsidy was so generous that if it weren’t so dangerous, Zhao Zijian would have wanted to sign up himself.
"Thank you for your concern, Senior Brother. By the way, what about Senior Sister Zhong Yu? Is she on leave today?" Zhang Chi smiled slightly and changed the subject.
"Zhong Yu? She hasn’t been here for a while. And she’s not ’Senior Sister’ anymore; she’s a Master now. She successfully reached Foundation Establishment three months ago. What, you have a crush on her and you didn’t even know this?" Zhao Zijian was startled, then chuckled.
"She reached Foundation Establishment? So quickly?"
Zhang Chi was genuinely surprised.
The first time he saw her when he joined the sect, she was only at the Qi Cultivation Ninth Layer.
"Heh, you don’t even know her status? She’s an Inner Sect Disciple with excellent aptitude, and she even has a Golden Core Master. Of course her Cultivation is fast. And I heard she’s also going to the Demon Abyss this time," Zhao Zijian continued, his face full of admiration.
"So that’s how it is! But don’t cultivators get a few years to prepare after reaching Foundation Establishment? Why is she going to the Demon Abyss so soon?"
The realization dawned on Zhang Chi, but it was followed by a new question.
"Heh, for exceptionally talented Foundation Establishment Cultivators, the Demon Abyss may be dangerous, but it’s nothing to be afraid of. In fact, it’s a challenge and an opportunity. So it’s normal for them to go early. Wasn’t it the same for Master Chen Bufan?" Zhao Zijian said with a laugh.
"That’s true."
Zhang Chi nodded.
"But Junior Brother, as someone who’s been there, I have to give you some advice. Master Zhong Yu is both beautiful and talented, so it’s normal to admire her. Many people do. But don’t get your hopes up and become infatuated. After all, you two are from different worlds."
Then, Zhao Zijian’s expression suddenly turned serious.
"Senior Brother Zhao, you’ve misunderstood. I was just asking casually. I’m not one of her admirers," Zhang Chi said with a laugh, taken aback.
"Heh, it’s fine, I get it. I’ve seen too many fellow disciples like you, saying one thing but meaning another, not even having the courage to admit their feelings," Zhao Zijian replied, clearly unconvinced.
"Fine. If you’re determined to think that, then all I can say is, you’re right, Senior Brother."
Zhang Chi felt a bit exasperated but couldn’t be bothered to explain, so he immediately took his leave.
This time, he finally went to the Outer Disciple Cave Mansions.
As for the Earth Fire Hall, Fu Hongchang had things covered, so even if his post was temporarily vacant, it wasn’t his place to worry.
’The Spiritual Qi is too thin here. It’s far worse than the Earth Fire Hall, let alone enough to support a Foundation Establishment Cultivator’s Cultivation. Fortunately, it’s almost time to leave. A few days won’t make much of a difference.’
Arriving in this somewhat unfamiliar Cave Mansion, Zhang Chi took a moment to assess it and couldn’t help but shake his head slightly.
After that, he tidied up the Cave Mansion, then thought for a moment and sent a message to Qin Susu and the others.
Qin Susu and the others were his only friends in the Sect, and they had always worked together.
Therefore, since he was leaving, it was only natural to let them know.
Soon, Qin Susu and the others all arrived. Even Zhao Yi was among them, and he was wearing Outer Sect attire.
It turned out that not long ago, he had finally become a Tier One Low Grade Spirit Plant Master and successfully entered the Outer Sect.
However, because he had previously been a Servant and had a poor Spirit Root, his Cultivation was only at the Qi Cultivation Fourth Layer.
"Senior Brother Zhang, you told us not to go to the Demon Abyss, but now you’re going yourself?" Qin Susu said indignantly.