Living In Another World With A Farm Chapter 8544 8544: Mission (1)

Upon exiting the courtyard, Lu Yongde glanced back at Cheng Wanchun, his face filled with envy. “Wanchun, you’re truly fortunate. I’ve heard there are several celestial artifacts in our treasure repository, crafted personally by the sect master. They possess immense power, and obtaining one relies on destiny. We suspected it was just a rumor since no one had claimed them for ages, but it’s real, and you’ve secured them. You’re incredibly lucky, young one. I won’t lecture you further—just wield this magical artifact wisely.”

Cheng Wanchun’s face beamed with uncontainable thrill. “Yes, rest assured, headmaster. I’ll cultivate diligently without fail.” Lu Yongde gave a nod. Though jealousy stirred within him toward Cheng Wanchun, no malicious intentions crossed his mind. He understood that combat was prohibited in the boundless space, and acts like murder or theft were strictly banned. Attempting such a thing would lead to his own demise. Thus, envy was all he felt, and he kept silent on the matter.

Returning to the front yard together, Cheng Wanchun headed straight to his quarters. Once inside, he eagerly pulled out the copper ruler and examined it with great care, reluctant to set it aside for quite some time. Finally, he placed it down and grasped the Jade slip presented by Lord Sun, probing it with his spiritual force.

The moment his spiritual power delved into the Jade slip, astonishment seized him. It contained a cultivation technique that resembled the Song of Righteousness Qi he had practiced, yet subtle variations existed. Mastering this technique promised greater might than the Song of Righteousness Qi. Moreover, a crucial aspect stood out: practicing this method intertwined deeply with the pair of ruler weights. In essence, the technique’s effectiveness tied directly to these weights, with the pair of town rulers serving as the optimal magical tool. Proper cultivation would amplify the town rulers’ potency while accelerating his progress.

Delighted by this discovery, Cheng Wanchun swiftly retrieved the ruler and commenced refining it per the technique’s guidelines. The initial phase involved housing the ruler within his primordial spirit for nurturing, while gradually imprinting restrictions from the method onto it. Each cultivation stage was meticulously detailed, ensuring no errors in practice.

As Cheng Wanchun began the process, he sensed this technique suited him far better than the Song of Righteousness. During the latter, certain aspects felt somewhat obstructed. Yet with this new method, everything flowed seamlessly, as if it had been custom-designed for him alone.

Time flew by, and another month elapsed. Over this period, Cheng Wanchun’s power advanced to the third layer of the Dharma-use realm. Such rapid growth was utterly astounding. Even more remarkably, each successful restriction added to the ruler boosted his cultivation pace slightly, leaving him deeply amazed.

This revelation filled Cheng Wanchun with joy, spurring him to train with renewed vigor. Yet another month slipped away. Having spent three months in the realm, his strength now hit the fifth layer of the Dharma power usage realm. While the advancement appeared to decelerate, it remained impressively swift. Stronger cultivators naturally progressed more slowly, requiring greater Dharma power accumulation. Reaching the fifth layer from the first in just two months was nothing short of miraculous for the transcendence realm. Far from discouraged, Cheng Wanchun brimmed with exhilaration.

Nevertheless, after three months, Cheng Wanchun faced an impending assignment. Endless cultivation without duties wasn’t feasible. Thus, he readied himself, gathered his belongings, and sought out Lu Yongde, aware that consulting him would reveal his forthcoming path.

Before he could even rap on Lu Yongde’s door, the headmaster’s voice rang out: “Wanchun, you’re here—enter.” Cheng Wanchun acknowledged and swung the door open, stepping into the living room. He bowed to Lu Yongde, who rose and dismissed the formality with a wave. “No need for such courtesy. Well done, lad—your progress is lightning-fast. Clearly, you’re a prodigy. I won’t prattle on. The superiors have assigned you a task. This is your specific directive—review it.” With that, he passed a Jade slip to Cheng Wanchun.

Cheng Wanchun accepted the Jade slip and scanned its message, then stared at Lu Yongde in bewilderment. “Sect master, this doesn’t outline any mission. It merely instructs me to meet someone. What’s the intent?” Cheng Wanchun genuinely puzzled over the directive’s purpose.

Lu Yongde chuckled softly. “I’m in the dark about that. Truthfully, I have no idea what task awaits you. I haven’t even peeked at the Jade slip’s details, as this is beyond my authority. So, I truly can’t say what you’ll undertake. Proceed as instructed.” Though still perplexed, Cheng Wanchun agreed and departed with the Jade slip.

Guided by the Jade slip’s directions, Cheng Wanchun reached a mountaintop where a courtyard stood. Landing before it, he noted its plainness—no markers, no plaques, no decorations adorned it. This left him somewhat baffled.

Undeterred, Cheng Wanchun approached the shut courtyard gate and lightly struck the copper knocker. The door creaked open. A cultivator eyed him sternly and intoned, “Show me the mission Jade slip.” Evidently, he sought the very slip Cheng Wanchun carried. Without hesitation, Cheng Wanchun produced and handed it over.

The man inspected it briefly and nodded, swinging the gate wider. “Enter.” Cheng Wanchun assented and crossed the threshold. Inside lay a modest square. The cultivator guided him through it quickly, halting before a chamber. “Go inside—someone will explain your summons here.”

“Yes,” Cheng Wanchun responded and stepped in. He froze upon seeing several cultivators already present, seated within. The room’s arrangement mirrored Lu Yongde’s parlor but was larger, with extra seating. Otherwise, it matched precisely.

The room’s occupants cast glances at Cheng Wanchun but remained mute. He observed them similarly and took a vacant chair. Soon, others arrived. Upon tallying, he counted 27 individuals total.

As Cheng Wanchun pondered this, a figure emerged from the rear. Appearing under 30, with a friendly demeanor, the man grinned at the assembly. “All present—excellent. Greetings, all. Allow me to introduce myself: I’m Zhu Yong, servant to the young master. The young master refers to our sect master.”

Stunned by Zhu Yong’s declaration, everyone rose swiftly to pay respects. Zhu Yong gestured them down. Scanning the group gravely, he declared, “No need for formalities. Fate has brought you here today. Each of you received a magical tool forged by the young master and trained via his provided technique. This is commendable. It’s precisely why this chance arises. Grasp it and serve the young master well. Should you refuse, depart now.”

Silence reigned; none stirred to exit. They had pledged to the Ghostwind bandits. Rejecting service to their grand leader—the sect master of legend—amounted to suicide. In their view, dubbing the Ghostwind bandits’ chief a sect master felt odd, as they were merely a bandit crew, not a true sect.

Zhu Yong surveyed them with a grin. “Splendid. With no one leaving, you commit to the young master’s service.” He continued, “Practicing his bestowed technique marks you as his nominal disciples. That’s why you’re gathered. As nominal disciples, you ought to learn the young master’s true standing. Doubtless, many wonder why the young master leads only the Ghostwind bandits, yet demands the title of sect master from those in the spatial zone. Perhaps you suspect he aspires to found a sect, hence the title, or seeks to elevate his prestige. I wager such notions linger, yes?” Zhu Yong’s gaze swept over them, prompting visible unease. None spoke; some averted their eyes.

Zhu Yong regarded them warmly. “No shame in that—it’s natural curiosity. Today, I’ll clarify this. But know: after hearing it, departure from the Ghostwind bandits is impossible. Attempting it means certain death.”

Despite his smile, Zhu Yong’s words chilled the air, their faces paling. No one mistook it for jest. His grin only heightened the menace. They grasped fully: future flight would invite doom, without question.