Chapter 228: But Your Esteemed Teacher is Di Nufeng!

"I was thinking that this Mountain God Memorial Ceremony was designed exceptionally ingeniously. It turns out that the Conservation Master is the mastermind for this event. No wonder.." Chu Liang quickly praised with a smile.

"You have quite the silver tongue, and you're very smart too. Unfortunately, you chose the wrong path, but you do share some similarities with..." the Conservation Master remarked with a smile.

He was about to draw a comparison between Chu Liang and his teacher Di Nufeng when he hesitated. This didn't seem like Di Nufeng's usual style, suggesting Chu Liang might not have learned from her.

He paused for a moment before continuing, "With the unscrupulous Shang Jiaqi from Taotie City."

"

Hehe

," Chu Liang chuckled a few times.

While Taotie City has undoubtedly facilitated the world of immortality cultivators, it has also fostered a wholly profit-driven and negative atmosphere.

Many traditional cultivators still uphold the belief that the pursuit of immortality should exude an ethereal and detached aura. They deeply disdain the profit-seeking aura of merchants.

"As representatives of the traditional immortal sects, Mount Shu naturally boasted a higher proportion of old-school cultivators.

"To be honest, you've really given the elders quite a headache," remarked the Conservation Master with amusement as he looked at Chu Liang. "The Mountain God Memorial Ceremony has been held for thousands of years, and it's rare to see a disciple behaving so recklessly."

What he said was indeed true.

Chu Liang engaged in selling clues, conducting a large-scale sale of talisman collection... All the commercial activities were able to make profit because of the Mountain God Memorial Ceremony. However, he didn't violate any rules.

Chu Liang was like an outlaw skirting the edges of the sect's regulations.

Ultimately, the only option remaining was to implement further conditions to discipline him, as no other effective method seemed viable in managing his behavior.

Just as Chu Liang was feeling slightly nervous, the Conservation Master spoke again.

"Nevertheless, I do have high hopes for you. This cunningness could also be described as extraordinary intelligence. However, mere cleverness isn't sufficient for success. You require guidance to steer you onto the correct path..." He paused, then smiled at Chu Liang. "Would you consider joining the Hall of Conservation?"

Huh?

This turn of events left Chu Liang momentarily stunned.

Did the Conservation Master visit me to extend this invitation?

Among the four halls, the Hall of Conservation recruits the fewest attendant disciples. At least, Chu Liang had only encountered that square-faced Senior Brother. Perhaps it was because the Hall of Conservation had relatively fewer affairs to manage, or maybe because the position was considered more valuable.

If you were an attendant in the Hall of Weapons, you couldn't casually use all the available enchanted tools; if you were an attendant in the Hall of Alchemy, you couldn't casually consume any pills. However, as an attendant in the Hall of Conservation, you could almost casually peruse all divine arts.

After all, divine arts manuals were different from enchanted tools and pills; just seeing them was already a gain.

Chu Liang asked somewhat puzzledly, "Does the Hall of Conservation need attendant disciples?"

"I am not referring to attendant disciples. I am asking if you would be interested in being my disciple," the Conservation Master said slowly.

"What?" Chu Liang was even more surprised.

An attendant disciple of a hall stationed at the entrance of the hall resembled more of a paid apprentice. Take Chen Su, for instance. Though she was a member of another peak and followed another teacher, she would use her spare time to learn the art of refining pills.

A disciple of a teacher would be someone like Liu Qin and Lu Xun from the Hall of Alchemy. Acknowledged by the guardian elder as his disciples, they would be imparted knowledge of his legacy.

Obviously, you could only join one lineage and acknowledge one person as your esteemed teacher.

Chu Liang's first reaction was to glance towards the direction of the pavilion where Di Nufeng was, feeling guilty as he said, "This is not something I dare say on Silver Sword Peak..."

"

Heh.

I wouldn't be intimidated by someone from the younger generation like her..." The Conservation Master chuckled lightly and continued, "I've already sealed off this entire area with my secret technique. Not a soul will overhear our conversation."

"That's good." Chu Liang heaved a sigh of relief.

He knew very well that Di Nufeng never held back when beating up old men.

Chu Liang has been recruited by others before. However, it was the first time someone had dared to come boldly to Silver Sword Peak to recruit him.

Chu Liang contemplated it for a while. Then, he tactfully replied, "I am deeply honored by your high regard for me. However, regardless of where I go, I remain a disciple of Mount Shu. What reason would compel me to change my allegiance?"

When the Conservation Master heard this, he said, "That is true. But your teacher is Di Nufeng?"

This was basically deja vu. It was almost as though Chu Liang had heard this exact line before.

Chu Liang couldn't help but chuckle inwardly. However, he maintained a composed demeanor and replied, "My teacher saved my life and accepted me into the sect. She's like a second parent to me. How could I betray her?"

The Conservation Master gazed at Chu Liang and suddenly nodded, a clear hint of admiration shining in his eyes.

The hierarchical system of the peaks on Mount Shu meant that even if a disciple was exceptionally talented, it would be difficult for them to receive direct attention from the higher-ups. The most crucial figure in their growth would be their esteemed teacher. However, Di Nufeng was evidently an inadequate esteemed teacher, providing little assistance to her disciples and often causing more harm than good.

But facing such a figure, Chu Liang also couldn't bear to betray, instead revealing his deep sense of loyalty and righteousness.

The visit today by the Conservation Master wasn't exactly about recruiting. Instead, it felt more like an evaluation. If Chu Liang indeed entertained the idea of joining another lineage, regardless of his intelligence, he wouldn't be deemed worthy of being a future leader of Mount Shu.

It was at this moment when the Conservation Master really considered Chu Liang as one of the future leaders of the Mount Shu Sect.

In this era, there were initially only two individuals with such esteemed status: Xu Ziyang and Jiang Yuebai. They, too, had to endure numerous trials to achieve their current positions. However, Chu Liang's appearance has captured the interest of the upper ranks of Mount Shu, once more offering them a fresh seedling to consider.

An strange one... but he is a promising seed for the future.

"You also have a strong sense of loyalty and righteousness," the Conservation Master smiled and nodded. He waved his hand as he said, "Oh, by the way, the Alchemy Master wanted me to deliver a message to you. He said that the price of one high-grade Green Pill will be ten thousand sword coins."

Chu Liang naturally remained unaware of the Conservation Master's inner thoughts. He merely noted the shifts in the elder's expression and vaguely sensed that he had made the correct decision.

Upon hearing that the high-grade Green Pill was priced at ten thousand sword coins, Chu Liang's brow furrowed immediately as he sensed that the situation was far from straightforward.

Ten thousand? You might as well just rob me!

Why bother giving me a pill?

However, upon further contemplation, Chu Liang realized that this was likely a strategy by which the higher-ups of Mount Shu used to take back a portion of his profits from this venture.

He had earned approximately fifteen to sixteen thousand sword coins, and they would be reclaiming a significant portion of the earnings while disregarding the remainder. By doing so, he could still claim first place at the Mountain God Memorial Ceremony. After all, he deserved it.

To achieve first place, sacrifices inevitably had to be made...

As the Conservation Master departed, Chu Liang found himself alone, deep in contemplation.

...

As night fell, the Soul Subjugator Token suddenly vibrated.

Chu Liang had previously helped Liu Xiaoyu'er unlock her potential, aiding her in mastering the path of the Secret Dragon Blood Technique. Just as he had settled down to sleep, he was abruptly awakened by the token's vibration.

This item had not vibrated for a long time and he had almost forgotten about it.

The sudden vibration made him feel a bit nervous.

[Eastern-Route Guider]: "The marquess has summoned you all."

[Fifty-Ninth]: "

Ah, ah, ah,

is it finally happening? Is it about the undercover mission at White-Bone Hall? I've been looking forward to this for so long, and now the day has finally arrived. The moment to serve the marquess has finally come, how exciting..."

[Sixtieth]: "When? Where?"

Chu Liang looked at the responses of the two individuals who replied before him, feeling like he was caught between two extremes. In comparison, whatever he said would seem like the words of the only sane person in the group.

[Fifty-Eighth]: "Honorable Guider, I have received your message. Please instruct on the next step."

[Eastern-Route Guider]: "There's news that White-Bone Hall will undergo significant changes and is expanding its manpower. This will be an opportunity for you to infiltrate White-Bone Hall. Someone will rendezvous with you for assembly in three days. Be prepared."

[Sixtieth]: "Noted."

[Fifty-Eighth]: "Noted."

[Fifty-Ninth]: "Oh my heavens!!! Is it about to start? I am feeling a little nervous. Honorable Guider, do you have any advice for us? Who will rendezvous with us? Has someone already infiltrated the White-Bone Hall? If we made accomplishments, will we get to see the marquess? Has he recovered from his injuries?"

The Eastern-Route Guider remained silent.

Message read but no response.