C12 Deacon Ning

"Xiaofeng, what's the matter?"

"Ah, I got ambushed on my way back. Someone tried to kidnap me."

"Ugh, that makes me so mad. Just wait until I get stronger—I'll deal with them then."

"Here, take these two pills."

"Xiaofan, don't you have anything better?"

"Isn't the Energy Refining Pill good enough? That's all I have right now."

The little one edged closer to the storage space, sniffing vigorously.

"No, you've got some better ones in there. I don't want these; I want those."

More bottles of medicine pills?

In a burst of light, over a dozen different bottles appeared before him.

"Which one are you talking about?"

"That one, I want that one. Quick, give me one pill."

Watching Xiaofeng's frantic movements, Ning Xiaofan realized the importance of the medicine.

He opened the bottle slowly, expecting a whiff of aromatic scent, but instead, a foul gas escaped. Ning Xiaofan inhaled it all in a single breath. Yuck!

He tossed the bottle onto the table and staggered away, retching. He nearly threw up everything inside him—it was that disgusting!

Xiaofeng darted to the bottle and scooped up all the pills in a flash, as if worried Ning Xiaofan might claim them first.

After his bout of nausea, Ning Xiaofan noticed that Xiaofeng had emptied the bottle, leaving not a single pill behind. He leaned against the bottle, content.

"Little one, it's that repulsive? How could you possibly swallow it?"

"Repulsive? This is a gem, a Grade Two Spiritual Pill. I'm going into seclusion. Don't bother me unless it's important."

The Spirit Nurturing Pill, a Grade Two Medicinal Pill, was far superior to similar pills and had a significant effect on spirit beasts.

In a swift motion, Xiaofeng zipped to a large tree in the backyard, where a hollow had become its home.

Ning Xiaofan mused that to some, the items might be akin to stinky tofu—repulsive to many, yet coveted by others.

He opened the storage space Xiaofeng had acquired, curious about its contents. With a mere nudge of his mind, the spiritual force guarding the storage space vanished. It was a well-known fact that unless a cultivator perished, it would be exceedingly difficult for peers to breach their storage space—unless one possessed an exceptionally potent consciousness.

As he emptied the four storage spaces, the room quickly filled with an array of items. It was clear that Inner Sect disciples lived in abundance.

The haul from the storage spaces was impressive, boasting over a hundred materials for crafting, predominantly common items in the immortal cultivation world such as Meteor Iron, Hundred-refined Steel, and Spirit Stones.

Among the treasures were Spirit Herbs and seeds, plentiful and valuable. Ning Xiaofan discovered seven types of herbs used in the Energy Refining Pill, complementing two he already had in his own garden. Now, only three types eluded him, necessitating a trip to the market.

The Spirit Seeds were mostly fire-affiliated, except for a packet of ginseng seeds found in Wang Chan's storage space—a truly prized find, destined for his garden.

The four cultivators' storage spaces contained six Magic Artifacts, though none of particularly high grade. Most were Grade One, Rank 3, ideal for those in the third stage of Energy Refining. The finest among them was a Grade One, Rank 7 artifact, yet it paled in comparison to the Heart Questioning Sword and was better suited for trading for Spirit Stones.

The group's collective wealth in Spirit Stones was substantial, exceeding three hundred—surpassing the average Inner Sect disciple's stash.

With the items secured, Ning Xiaofan's attention turned to three paper books and two jade slips found within. The books detailed martial arts techniques, with one on the Body Lightening Technique particularly catching his eye. But as he perused it, he couldn't shake the feeling that something was amiss.

The jade slip undoubtedly contained valuable information. Upon contact with his spiritual sense, two advanced cultivation techniques appeared, a step above the basic methods.

He glanced at them briefly before tossing them into another room. "Yichen, take a look at these. If they're not useful to you, just burn them."

With the windows wide open, Fanh Yichen examined the contents and exclaimed, "Big brother, these are treasures! Burn them? These are Profound Rank cultivation methods! You must be rolling in money to even think about burning them. That's just throwing away wealth!"

Ning Xiaofan's greatest joy was discovering Wang Chan's disguise kit in his storage space. It came with over ten lifelike masks that transformed his appearance instantly upon wearing them.

With these masks and the Dissolving Powder, he couldn't help but feel like a bandit. Well, if a bandit he must be, so be it—as long as he survived.

"Yichen, this storage bag is yours now. No more living in poverty from today on." A flicker of light, and another storage bag soared into the opposite room.

"Ding! Congratulations, Master, your Charisma has increased."

"Xiaofan, I can't thank you enough!"

When Fanh Yichen opened his storage space, he found it neatly stocked with five bottles of Energy Refining Pills and two hundred Low Grade Spirit Stones—wealth comparable to that of an Inner Sect cultivator.

"Scram, get out of here."

"Xiaofan, are these six Magic Artifacts?"

"Keep it down. Sell them at the black market when you get a chance, but keep it under wraps."

It dawned on Fanh Yichen that they couldn't let anyone find out these were the Magic Artifacts from those four individuals.

"What's all the whispering about?"

Lin Bo emerged from the woodshed, meeting their gazes with a collective twelve eyes. "Oh, I'm starving."

"Quiet."

"Okay."

With a wave of his hand, Ning Xiaofan sent a chunk of beef flying straight to Lin Bo.

"Brisket! It's been ages since I've had some. Thanks, Mr. Ning."

Clutching the beef, Lin Bo retreated back to the woodshed and sat on his bed, devouring the meat voraciously.

"Xiaofan, is it safe for us to talk like this?"

"Don't worry, the entire courtyard is shielded by a powerful formation. No one can overhear us, except for that one..."

Ah, that fool isn't someone to be trifled with—immense strength and a background so formidable I wouldn't dare cross him.

Just then, footsteps approached the door. Someone was there.

"Knock, knock, knock, is anyone there?"

Ning Xiaofan saw an elderly man with white hair outside the courtyard, his hair neatly tied back.

His white beard fluttered across his chest. "Old sir, whom are you seeking?"

It was clear this man exuded the aura of an ancient sage, his cultivation reaching the heavens.

"Are you Ning Xiaofan?"

"Yes, that's me. How can I help you?" In recent days, the only visitors had been related to those nine fatalities. What else could it be? His thoughts raced.

"Let's just say I am."

Ning Xiaofan felt a bead of sweat form on his back. "There's no need to be afraid; I'm not here for anything bad."

The old man's piercing gaze had instantly seen through Ning Xiaofan's fear. He really was an open book.

"Please, come in."

"No need. I've heard about your impressive abilities and strong cultivation. Here's what we'll do: you'll become the deacon of the Spirit Herb Garden."

"And you are?"

"Don't worry about who I am. Just live well, and a decree will follow shortly."

Ning Xiaofan was at a loss, suddenly finding himself appointed as the deacon of the Spirit Herb Garden.

"Ding! Congratulations, Master, your Charisma has increased."

What in the world was happening?

Did the old man take a liking to him? He didn't seem to be a lunatic.

"It will all make sense in a few days."

The white-haired elder left with a chuckle.

Before an incense stick could burn down, a trio arrived at the courtyard. "Ning Xiaofan, you are to take over as the deacon."

Ning Xiaofan faced the former Deacon Liu, "Xiaofan, this is the Spirit Herb Garden deacon's decree. Take good care of it!"

"Brother Liu, what's happening here?"

"Well, it's complicated. You'll find out in a few days."

"Ding! Congratulations, Master, your reputation points are on the rise..."

Becoming a deacon had his reputation points soaring. Would they skyrocket even more if he became the sect master?

The news of Ning Xiaofan's rise from a Worker Disciple to a Worker Deacon spread like wildfire through Sky Burning Valley, leaving many Inner Sect disciples green with envy.

"Alright, these two are your assigned stewards. They'll handle things for you going forward. If you're unsure about anything, they're the ones to ask."

"Your humble servant, Jiang Jie, greets the deacon."

"Your humble servant, Jiang Lin, greets the deacon."

"No need for formalities."

Fanh Yichen stood behind, looking somewhat bewildered.

Xiaofeng peeked out from the tree, then quickly hid again.

"If you're not here for anything, move along. Don't get in the way of my work."

Lin Bo's voice echoed from the firewood shed, prompting Deacon Liu to dash off with a grin.

"Master, when will you visit the deacon's quarters to receive everyone's greetings?"

"I'll stop by the deacon's quarters when I have some time. For now, keep managing things as you were. There's no need to report to me unless it's something major. You two can handle it."

"Yes, Master."

The Jiang brothers exchanged glances, their eyes twinkling with excitement.

Being a deacon was a cushy position. If Ning Xiaofan didn't interfere, they stood to gain quite a bit. Even after settling up with Ning Xiaofan, they'd still come out ahead.

"Just remember, conduct your duties in line with the sect's expectations. You won't be shortchanged."

"Yes, sir."

Ning Xiaofan, with his modern perspective, had already seen through their petty schemes.

"Sir, we'll keep you promptly informed about significant matters concerning Spirit Stones and medicinal herbs."

"Good to know. You two may go now."

The stewards turned and made their way to the service room.

"Fatty, our luck has turned!"

"Yeah, Xiaofan, what's all this about? Am I going to start shaking things up too?"

Ning Xiaofan's gaze shifted. Could it be him?

"Lin Bo, come out here."

"What's up, Mr. Ning?"

"Who was that white-haired old man who was just here?"

"The one with white hair? Not sure, probably that cursed old man!"

"Who are you referring to?"

"My great-grandpa. He's the Supreme Elder. Nobody in Sky Burning Valley dares cross him."

"Ah! I thought it might be the Second Elder, or even his father."

"Big brother, I'm starving."

"Here, take this. I've got some beef left. Tomorrow, I'll slaughter a cow for you."

"Awesome, I've got meat to eat!"

"Ding! Congratulations, host, you've earned some Charm points."

Lin Bo is the best, trading meat for Charm points. Ning Xiaofan's eyes sparkled at the sound of the system's notification.

"I want some meat too."

Just then, a shout echoed from the tree behind the house. To others, it sounded like a bird call, but Ning Xiaofan understood Xiaofeng's words.

"Okay, here's another piece for you."

He cut a piece of beef into several small chunks and arranged them on a plate.

"Come on down and eat!"

Xiaofeng fluttered down, took a bite, and spat it out. "Yuck, this isn't good. I want Demonic Beast meat; this stuff is bland."

Meanwhile, Lin Bo had polished off his share and noticed there was still some left on the table.

"Move aside, little sparrow, that meat's mine."

With a sweep of his arm, he devoured the remaining plateful.

"Ding! Congratulations, Master, your Charm has increased."

Two pieces of meat for two points of Charm. Can't give too much, or it's wasted. Moderation is key.

"Mr. Ning, I want to learn martial arts. I aim to be stronger than you."

Ning Xiaofan chuckled, "Sure, I'll show you a couple of techniques."

He had just received the Seven Death Boxing from the system, currently at Rank 1. More practice would improve his skill, and it was the perfect opportunity to teach Lin Bo.

"Pay attention, Lin Bo. I'll start with the first technique. This is the Flowing Cloud Fist. Your fist should move like drifting clouds, your intent like flowing water. Focus on your stance; stability is crucial..."

Fanh Yichen watched as the courtyard tiles cracked beneath their feet, dust and debris swirling into the air.

"Ah!"

"Big brother!"

"It hurts!"

"Ease up, ease up! Ah!"

Their sparring was intense, with each blow landing solidly. Lin Bo was in so much pain he considered backing off. Ning Xiaofan, without the aid of a Powerful Pill, was relying solely on his Seven Death Boxing for the offensive.

"Your footwork is off. Your stance needs tension; be stable. As you extend your punch, project your shoulder joint forward..."

"Ding! Congratulations, Master, your Charisma has increased."

"Ding! Congratulations, Master, your Reputation has increased."

Wow, 10 points in Charisma, 11 in Cultivation, and 12 in Reputation—all convertible to Cultivation Points, haha!

"System, convert these to Cultivation Points for me."