I Became A Cannon Fodder In A Female Protagonist Cultivation Novel Chapter 2 In Such A Situation, Han Paopao Could Only Hold The Small Green Bottle And Tremble

One month ago, Fang Jinyu's occupation was cleaning excrement.

And now, one month later, Fang Jinyu's task remained the same: cleaning excrement.

To the bewilderment of many, Fang Jinyu explained, "I am immensely grateful for the Tianling Sect's generosity in allowing me access to the Lingdu Secret Realm. Therefore, I have voluntarily taken it upon myself to clean up the waste, contributing to the harmonious development of our esteemed sect."

Considering his parents had given their lives for the sect, they were undoubtedly among its most devoted disciples. Thus, Fang Jinyu's explanation, while initially plausible, was revealed to be mere sophistry upon closer examination. Nevertheless, no one questioned his sincerity.

Naturally, there was no reason to harbor any doubts.

Fang Jinyu's prolonged dedication to cleaning excrement stemmed from his uncertainty regarding whether Su Yier's master was still observing him.

However, his days of waste disposal were nearing their end.

According to the narrative, Su Yier's master was destined to depart from the Tianling Sect within the month, compelled by an urgent matter. This departure would precipitate the female protagonist's first significant trial.

As the central female character, she was bound to overcome adversity and emerge stronger, reaping unforeseen benefits.

Tragically, Su Yier's master would later become a laughingstock due to this impending crisis…

It was a situation that anyone could readily comprehend.

After all, the female lead had a penchant for charming all the men around her.

Of course, Fang Jinyu had no personal stake in these unfolding events. His sole objective was survival.

[A new day dawns, and the task of cleaning poop continues.]

[Manual dexterity +1]

As Fang Jinyu gazed at the starlit sky, a profound sense of relief washed over him. The arduous month of waste management was finally concluding.

Shortly thereafter, a peculiar warmth suffused his hands, accompanied by a sudden surge in arm strength.

This sensation was no mere figment of his imagination.

His physical strength had indeed increased.

The ability known as 'manual dexterity' referred to one's proficiency in operating or manipulating objects.

The preceding twenty-nine days had passed uneventfully, save for the astonishing 'refined appearance +1' bestowed upon him on the very first day.

Enhancements such as physical strength +1, resistance to toxins and foul odors +1, and improved responsiveness +1 were just a few examples.

Each augmentation was directly linked to Fang Jinyu's activities on that particular day.

Fang Jinyu's cultivation base remained unchanged over the past month, yet his overall combat prowess had seen a marked improvement. Beyond his enhanced physicality, the martial techniques he had previously learned now felt remarkably more natural and suited to his abilities.

This newfound synergy was a direct result of acquiring seven instances of 'casting speed +1' while diligently employing techniques to dispose of the spirit beasts' excrement.

Despite these advancements, Fang Jinyu harbored a sliver of regret. Although he appeared to possess a system, a personal attribute panel was conspicuously absent. Consequently, even with a month's worth of '+1' gains, he lacked precise data on his progress. Thus, even with this extraordinary advantage, Fang Jinyu continued to navigate life with utmost caution, never allowing himself a moment of complacency.

This marked the final night Fang Jinyu was to spend within the confines of the valley. Yet, he did not depart from the area inhabited by the black spirit pigs.

The locale was desolate, devoid of any life save for the herd of mutated black pigs. This isolation had led the Foundation Establishment cultivator assigned to guard the valley to extend an invitation to Fang Jinyu for a drink, out of sheer boredom.

After all, there was no one else present in the valley besides Fang Jinyu and the guard.

The martial uncle overseeing the valley bore the surname Li. His dual-elemental spiritual roots afforded him superior innate talent for cultivation compared to Fang Jinyu's. Generally, cultivators with fewer spiritual root elements possessed a greater aptitude for cultivation; those with a single-elemental spiritual root, known as a Tianling spiritual root, were considered the most gifted. Provided they did not succumb to demonic deviation during their cultivation journey, individuals with a Tianling spiritual root were virtually guaranteed to reach the Core Formation stage!

However, despite possessing dual-elemental spiritual roots, Martial Uncle Li remained at the third rank of the Foundation Establishment stage after dedicating the majority of his life to cultivation, largely due to his lack of powerful backing within the Tianling Sect.

Whispers suggested that unresolved issues from his past had hindered his progress, causing a thirty-year delay in his entry into the Lingdu Secret Realm.

Had it not been for these circumstances, even without achieving Core Formation, he would undoubtedly have been at the ninth rank of the Foundation Establishment stage.

At this precise moment, a streak of light suddenly illuminated the night sky above them, radiating an immense, earth-shattering pressure. The phenomenon traversed the heavens in mere instants before vanishing into the distance.

Upon witnessing the dazzling display, Martial Uncle Li's demeanor abruptly shifted. He stiffened momentarily before gesturing dismissively with his sleeve, stating, "I am feeling weary. You may take your leave now."

Even cultivators in the Qi Condensation stage required minimal sleep, let alone those at the Foundation Establishment stage.

Therefore, his statement was merely a thinly veiled excuse.

As Martial Uncle Li watched Fang Jinyu prepare to leave, he looked up at the sky and spoke, "That is the sword Qi of a sword cultivator. Only someone at the Core Formation stage could unleash such brilliant and formidable energy. If you ever encounter them, try to get as far away as possible. Sometimes, even a mere glance can be fatal."

Fang Jinyu was inwardly ecstatic upon hearing Martial Uncle Li's admonition and swiftly offered his thanks with cupped fists.

Beyond the warning, his words also conveyed valuable intelligence.

The Tianling Sect was not a sword cultivation sect. While they possessed sword cultivation techniques, only a select few could truly master them. The sole cultivator at the Core Formation stage who had mastered sword techniques was none other than Su Yier's master!

Fang Jinyu decided to remain in the valley until the break of dawn.

Employing his wind harness technique, Fang Jinyu moved through the air like a swift swallow, speedily returning to his dwelling on the mountain peak.

With a light heart, he then proceeded back to his immortal abode.

At this juncture, he, a mere cannon fodder destined to perish within the first chapter, could arguably consider his fate altered.

"However, there are still six months remaining until the Lingdu Secret Realm opens," he mused.

"I must remain vigilant throughout this period. I need to steer clear of the female lead, Su Yier, and anyone associated with her."

What did a protagonist truly represent?

The genesis of all misfortune!

Despite his seemingly potent cultivation base at the ninth level of Qi Condensation, a dozen or more individuals with equivalent cultivation levels could be found on each of the Tianling Sect's mountain peaks.

The Tianling Sect boasted a total of seventy-two peaks.

His level of cultivation was insufficient; even with ten lives, he would perish if caught in the vortex of the protagonist's tribulations.

"Senior Brother, you've returned?"

"Senior Brother, why do you smell like marinated meat?"

A spirited young girl stood outside Fang Jinyu's immortal estate. Her eyes curved into crescent moons upon spotting Fang Jinyu, her face beaming with delight. Yet, in the very next moment, she pinched her nose and scampered away.

Fang Jinyu, possessing the memories of the original Fang Jinyu, immediately recognized the girl.

This young girl was named Xin Qianqian, also a disciple of the Tianling Sect. She resided not on the same peak as Fang Jinyu, but on a nearby one known as Mount Goddess, which exclusively admitted female disciples.

Xin Qianqian became acquainted with the former Fang Jinyu after encountering some trouble while venturing out. The original Fang Jinyu happened upon her predicament and offered assistance, forging a friendship between them from that point onward.

"Junior Sister Xin, why have you come looking for me?" Fang Jinyu inquired politely.

"Here, Senior Brother, this is for you," Xin Qianqian presented a small jade bottle.

"Blossom Dew?" Fang Jinyu identified the contents as Blossom Dew, a specialty of Mount Goddess and a prized commodity within the Tianling Sect.

A single small bottle commanded a price of twenty spirit stones.

Fang Jinyu typically earned this amount after a month of strenuous effort in the Spirit Beasts Valley. If he engaged in other tasks, his monthly earnings might even fall below ten spirit stones.

Unlike the novels Fang Jinyu had previously consumed, the Tianling Sect did not provide ordinary disciples with a monthly stipend of spirit stones unless they held a specific position within the sect.

Furthermore, the Tianling Sect would not assign missions in the manner of an NPC.

Within the Tianling Sect's hierarchy, a higher cultivation base granted significantly greater autonomy.

Novice disciples were mandated to attend morning and evening classes daily. Once they reached the fourth level of Qi Condensation, they could decide whether to dedicate time to cultivation. However, they were still required to undertake one month of labor for the sect annually.

Cultivators like Fang Jinyu, positioned at the ninth level of Qi Condensation, were excused from their annual month of labor. The Tianling Sect preferred their disciples to concentrate on achieving breakthroughs to the Foundation Establishment stage.

After all, a cultivator at the Foundation Establishment stage not only gained an extended lifespan of two hundred years but could also unleash techniques equivalent to the combined might of over ten cultivators at the ninth level of Qi Condensation.

Upon achieving this breakthrough, they would attain complete freedom.

They could pursue pill refinement if inclined or visit friends at their leisure, free to engage in any activity they desired.

Moreover, the Tianling Sect would disburse a monthly allocation of spirit stones to cultivators at the Foundation Establishment stage. Should such a cultivator accept a role within the sect, their remuneration would be doubled!

Feigning an indifferent air, Xin Qianqian stated, "Indeed, it is the Blossom Dew. I heard you were assigned to Spirit Beasts Valley, and this can be used thrice for bathing to completely eradicate any foul smell from your body."

"Many thanks, Junior Sister Xin."

Fang Jinyu accepted the diminutive jade bottle, as he genuinely required it, lest he remain plagued by an offensive odor for the next six months.

Although Xin Qianqian felt a surge of delight upon seeing Fang Jinyu accept the gift, she couldn't refrain from adding, "Senior Brother, you are truly a benevolent soul. Perhaps you could undertake other tasks to demonstrate your gratitude to the Sect!"

"I was compelled to do so..."

Fang Jinyu murmured to himself. Nevertheless, upon hearing the young lady's assertion of his kindness, he couldn't help but regard her with a peculiar gaze.

According to the novel's descriptions, Xin Qianqian was the one characterized by kindness!

She had even harbored affection for Su Yier's sycophant.

Ultimately, her fate was a rather regrettable one.

Even though the female protagonist harbored no interest in the bootlicker, Xin Qianqian was still perceived as appropriating the female protagonist's possessions! How could a character who pilfered from the female protagonist possibly meet a favorable end?

"Observe this young lady. It's evident she held an interest in the previous Fang Jinyu. Why then did she fall for someone different? Ah, yes! As per the narrative, the former Fang Jinyu should have met his demise a few days prior… Furthermore, the young lady enters into matrimony after more than a decade has passed. She truly exerted considerable effort for the former Fang Jinyu already."

After a period of contemplation, Fang Jinyu glanced at the Blossom Dew in his hand and made a decision.

He resolved to endeavor to assist Xin Qianqian in the future. At the very least, he would prevent her from enduring the same miserable outcome as depicted in the book. His aim was to help her avert a tragic end.

However, should he prove incapable of protecting her… he would strive to ensure she found peaceful repose.

After all, the female protagonist, Su Yier, was an individual of limited capability. According to the narrative, she was on the cusp of breaking through to the Nascent Soul stage merely by engaging in intimate relations with all the male characters within the story for over ten years!

In such a predicament, Han Paopao could only clutch the small green bottle and tremble while concealed in a corner.

"Senior Brother, the stench is quite overwhelming. I shall depart now. Oh, and right! Chen Baxing and his associates have been seeking you out recently. Senior Brother, exercise caution regarding them; I have a premonition they intend to cause you trouble."

Unable to tolerate Fang Jinyu's malodor any longer, Xin Qianqian descended the mountain as if fleeing.

As he observed her departure, Fang Jinyu pondered.

"Chen Baxing?"

Fang Jinyu was acquainted with the name. He was known as a notorious "villain" among the Qi Condensation stage cultivators within the Tianling Sect. He had assembled a cohort and engaged in a reselling enterprise, albeit one sullied by a detestable reputation. Whispers suggested he frequently reneged on agreements and was implicated in numerous homicides to acquire goods.

Yet, according to the book, such a reprobate figure persisted until the story's conclusion.

This longevity was solely attributed to Chen Baxing's instantaneous infatuation with the female lead, Su Yier.

Chen Baxing would never defy Su Yier's directives; he fulfilled her every request. Even if it entailed self-sacrifice to achieve Su Yier's desires, he would do so and present the outcome to her.

As the adage goes, "All endeavors succeed when driven by love for you."

However, since Fang Jinyu did not align with their ideologies and principles, his own existence was confined to a single chapter.

Perplexed by the circumstances, Fang Jinyu mused, "I have never encountered Chen Baxing, nor did the former Fang Jinyu have any dealings with him. So, why is this scoundrel searching for me?" Subsequently, he resolved to attend to his ablutions first.

The Blossom Dew was undeniably worth its twenty spirit stones. Merely a single drop filled the room with its delightful fragrance.

Following his bath, Fang Jinyu felt significantly revitalized. The weariness accumulated over the preceding month had vanished.

"Next, I shall endeavor to ascertain the outcomes of a day's cultivation!"