Hidden Moth-Chapter 453 - 257: Even the Dogs and Chickens of the Immortal Land Are Fortunate

Chapter 453: Chapter 257: Even the Dogs and Chickens of the Immortal Land Are Fortunate

Even if Senior Brother Zhang wants to return to the sect, the Xingshen Sect must verify everything he has said. Although Li Xiuyuan has not discovered any deceit through secret observation, the necessary procedures cannot be omitted.

Whether Senior Brother Zhang is a disciple of Zhou Yuandan and a direct heir of the Jianji Palace lineage cannot just be decided by his own statement; the Magic Sect has its own verification methods.

On the other hand, regardless of whose successor he is, as long as cultivation of the Magic Sect breaks through Tier Four, theoretically, he can find the sect’s grotto heaven, request return to the Magic Sect, and accept the secondary inheritance.

The sect’s task is to investigate his past conduct; if there are any criminal activities, appropriate punishment will be levied.

If his past conduct reveals no issues, according to the rules set by the ancestors, the Magic Sect will not obstruct his voluntary return, and the next step would be to hold a secondary inheritance ceremony for him.

High-tier cultivators are the core members of the Magic Sect, and upon returning, they simply need to adhere to sect rules.

However, Senior Brother Zhang’s situation is rather special and involves complex matters; he has not yet found the Fengyu Grotto Heaven, and under Elder Li’s directive, his investigation and assessment have already commenced.

In a colloquial sense, the Ancestral Hall has tasked the Xingshen Sect with forming a "special task force" responsible for investigating Senior Brother Zhang’s background and the related information he has provided.

The identity of the moderator and their organization behind the scenes is also a key focus of the investigation, requiring Senior Brother Zhang’s cooperation.

Senior Brother Zhang mentioned Elder Mei’s issue, which is irrefutable evidence of a leak. We must trace this lead to find the high-level sect members responsible for the leak.

It’s estimated that Elder Li will be busy for a while; although not everything needs his personal intervention, the elite group he specially assembled may have to work overtime during the New Year.

He Kao initially thought finding a chance for a private consultation would have to wait until after the New Year. Unexpectedly, on his way to work early the next morning and before his car had even reached the bridge crossing the river, he was stopped by Li Xiuyuan by the roadside.

He quickly parked and invited Elder Li to get in, wondering: "Why are you here, Elder?"

Li Xiuyuan: "I specifically came looking for you; did you bring your ID card?"

He Kao: "I brought it! Elder, are you planning to do something where it’s inconvenient to use your own ID card?"

Li Xiuyuan’s demeanor was very casual, and he often dressed in trendy and colorful outfits, which made He Kao relaxed. If it were Jiang Daozhen or Gu Chun, he definitely wouldn’t dare joke like this.

Li Xiuyuan gave him a light slap on the back of his head: "Drive to the airport, accompany me to Luzhou, catch the morning flight over, and we can return on the evening flight."

He Kao: "Master Li, I have to work today; my unit won’t be on holiday until the day after tomorrow."

The day after tomorrow was the first day of the New Year; according to recent statutory holidays issued by the Eastern Country, New Year’s Eve is a working day, theoretically not a holiday, but in practice, many people have left their workplaces early.

Li Xiuyuan: "I’ve been keeping an eye on your company these past few days. Don’t you know the situation by now? In your department, Luduan was able to take leave and return to his hometown yesterday... you can just call President Qian directly now; I don’t believe he won’t approve the leave."

He Kao didn’t waste words and headed directly towards the airport after crossing the bridge, curiously asking: "Why did you decide to go to Luzhou today, Elder?"

Li Xiuyuan: "Guess!"

He Kao thought for a moment and answered: "Going to see Chang’an Residence?"

Li Xiuyuan: "Consider yourself clever; it was you who made the connection for him back then."

During a previous encounter in Sawa Country with Chang’an Residence, He Kao informed him that the Magic Sect was implementing an information management system and provided the Ancestral Hall Information Office’s contact details.

Upon hearing Li Xiuyuan’s explanation, He Kao learned that Chang’an Residence had already contacted the Information Office, reported the registration materials requested by the Magic Sect, and formally applied to join the Magic Sect as an independent cultivator from Jianghu.

In fact, such circumstances are rare in history, and the Magic Sect does not necessarily accept them.

If Chang’an Residence had broken through Tier Four and found his way due to Grotto Heaven Summon, then the procedures would need to be followed, as it’s a rule set by the ancestors and a common sect rule shared among major Magic Sects, and must be executed.

But if someone suddenly appears from unknown origins as a low-tier loose cultivator, or even a Guest of Fate, claiming to have acquired a technique inheritance and wishes to join the Magic Sect as an official disciple.

The Magic Sect’s historical attitude toward this situation has been cautious.

A normal master taking on a disciple requires various tests and investigations; a person can’t just be accepted like that. As for assessment investigation, it should be known that truly understanding someone’s past conduct requires dedicated personnel spending time, resources, and even connections.

In the past, especially in ancient times, this was not easy, and everyone was busy.

Unless the inheritance background is clear, with an introduction by an official disciple, as in the situation of Wu Yanjun; or if someone’s qualifications are outstanding and they have been noticed by a venerable elder.

Otherwise, the Magic Sect has historically advised people in these situations to come back after achieving high-tier status.

Although the Magic Sect uses sect rules to restrain disciples’ conduct, on the other hand, once disciples are formally accepted into the sect, it has an obligation to them.

These obligations include but are not limited to providing complete technique inheritances, introducing the latest technique systems, various teachings on applied techniques, sharing cultivation insights, resources exchanges, trade channels...

These things, when translated into two words, are—karma! Karma unique to sect inheritances.

The cost of nurturing successors is significant, and error costs are high, so karma should not be lightly given, especially when successors are not personally chosen and cultivated.

Chang’an Residence belongs to the category of unknown origins as a low-tier loose cultivator. Nobody knows how he obtained the Ancestral Hall Information Office’s contact information, actively reported personal information materials, and submitted an application to join the Magic Sect.

Understanding the whole story, He Kao then asked: "There’s no need for you personally to go, is there, Elder? Isn’t there someone else from the Xingshen Sect?"

Li Xiuyuan: "Yesterday, Zhang Jingu came by, and all the people responsible for verifying the investigation were dispatched, and another batch was tasked with tracking down the moderator issue.

Since the New Year is approaching, you can take leave from work, but I can’t keep people too busy, so I should go personally. Besides, I also want to see this person for myself... As for you, of course, you should come with me."

His words were accompanied by a brief divine thought—

Although such matters were rare in the past, to be honest, with the development of the era and the establishment of the magic sect’s modern information management system, there might be more in the future.

And the current matter of Chang’an Residence happens to be the first case after the "magic sect management system reform." It must be handled clearly and strive to become an example for similar events in the future to be referenced.

That’s why Elder Li pays great attention, intends to personally inspect it, and is also bringing along He Kao.

He Kao: "If you’re going to Luzhou, who’s overseeing things at Qi Yuan? Has the Ancestral Hall dispatched other experts?"

Li Xiuyuan: "Don’t you know?"

He Kao: "What am I supposed to know?"

Li Xiuyuan shook his head with a smirk: "You really don’t pay attention to your colleagues!

Their department, Mei Guyu, handed out the year-end bonuses yesterday, and today they’ve already let everything go. She’s also gone home early for the New Year, took last night’s flight while you were having dinner with Zhang Jingu."

He Kao: "How many days has it been since work started? It feels redundant to rush to report before the New Year!"

Li Xiuyuan chuckled: "That’s different; she received the year-end bonus. Although not as much as you all, it’s still something."

He Kao replied indignantly: "That’s called holiday pay; every active employee, including those on probation, gets it! A year-end bonus is impossible; even if Old Qian is shameless, he couldn’t blatantly violate financial policies."

Li Xiuyuan: "No matter what you call it, she got a bonus at the year’s end, plus the company’s yearly gifts, and half a month’s salary... Because you all say she’s a relative of President Qian!

President Qian himself persuaded her to leave three days early. He told her that since she’s there for a regular job, she should act similar to other colleagues, and many in her department let loose early..."

Regarding President Qian’s meticulous concern for employees, He Kao didn’t want to comment temporarily. He had several questions he wanted to ask Elder Li, having rehearsed many times in his mind, and now was the opportunity.

He Kao: "About the questions Zhang Jingu asked me yesterday, you could have told him directly. Why speak through me?" 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

Li Xiuyuan: "I wanted to observe a bit. Not only to see his approach but also to see how you handle such situations.

Don’t forget, you are also the Sect Leader of the Hidden Moth Sect. What if it were Lan Jiwan or Ye Liangcheng asking for your guidance? In the future, you will encounter more situations like this, serving in the role of lecturer, mentor, and solver.

It’s not that you seek to be a teacher; it’s that someone must do it, and you sit in that position. Yesterday, facing Zhang Jingu was about learning—how to face more people like him in the future.

You already have high-tier cultivation, and now in the Hidden Moth Sect, no one surpasses your cultivation level, so you are not only a cultivator but also must be a guardian.

In fact, many times, even if there are questions without answers, you must provide your guidance so that the other party can maintain clarity of thought and keen perception... You did quite well yesterday!"

He Kao: "That was because of your guidance; without you yesterday, I would’ve probably been completely confused... By the way, what do you think about Senior Brother Zhang’s later question, regarding why there are no demons and monsters in this world?"

Li Xiuyuan laughed: "I don’t think much of it! If they don’t exist, then they don’t exist. Before they are discovered, they remain as doubtful. Does the world necessarily have to have demons and monsters?"

He Kao coughed lightly: "Last time you gave me the alchemy technique inheritance, including two formulas—Spirit Awakening Pill and Transformation Pill... What’s that all about?"

Li Xiuyuan’s smile became inexplicably odd: "Just like Magic Sect Grotto Heaven, all left by the ancestors. After the internal chaos of the Magic Sect a thousand years ago, many documented records were lost, but the alchemy inheritance remains, including these two formulas.

No one knows why, and in my earlier days, I asked several Supreme Elders, and this was the answer they gave me.

I passed the alchemy technique inheritance to you, hoping someday you might discover this question, and in the future can solve this question, yet you come to ask me."

He Kao: "If I don’t seek your guidance, who else can I ask? Has anyone successfully refined these spirit pills? Tested their specific effects?"

Li Xiuyuan took out a bottle and a gourd from his robe: "Listening to Zhang Jingu’s questions yesterday, I knew you’d ask me. I’ve prepared; today, I’m giving you one bottle of Spirit Awakening Pill and a gourd of Transformation Pill.

Spirit Awakening Pills are available; ask me if you need more. As for Transformation Pills, they are too precious and difficult to make, and the sect’s stock isn’t much, so I can only give you this gourd; use it sparingly."

Why would Elder Li bring him these two kinds of elixirs?

Actually, since ancient times, though monsters haven’t been found, the formulas exist, and how could the Magic Sect not try? Over many generations, quite a few masters of alchemy have attempted to refine these two types of elixirs.

Not just birds and beasts, but all the cats and dogs, pigs, horses, cows, and sheep in Phoenix Tail Town have tasted the Spirit Awakening Pill!

If one isn’t enough, they’re fed two, and there are high-tier cultivators specifically casting techniques to aid in absorbing the pill’s spiritual effect, a benefit not awarded to ordinary low-tier disciples.

Regarding the effect, it really must be said, the cats and dogs seem indeed to become smarter and more alert, yet they remain cats and dogs... As for the legendary demon cultivators, not a single one has been cultivated!

**

PS: Requesting monthly votes!