Becoming a Steward

Ouyang Li decided to return to the mortal village as quickly as possible. He wanted to take his things and hit the road before even more powerful cultivators arrived.

Fortunately, the foreign sect Deacon didn't make problems for him. In fact, he acted quite meekly.

He even ignored all the treasures laying around!

Ouyang Li considered it wise. Who knew whether or not there was something wrong with this wealth? After all, it belonged to the Heavenly Lord.

Just to be sure, Ouyang Li covered the spatial ring in a few more pieces of rough cotton.

As for the Spirit Stones, he had no interest in them. After all, he had the Mysterious Bead.

Besides, owning such a vast amount of wealth without corresponding strength was a crime in itself. Who could say that he wouldn't be hunted down and killed for all those reaches?

So, he has only pocketed a few superior pieces. This way, he would finally be able to buy a decent calming jade bed. As for other treasures, it was better to leave it for the sect to decide. This way, he could get some merit.

What's more, he wouldn't have to deal with any cursed items.

Fortunately, there were no major complications on his way back. The only thing that he had to deal with these next few days were some unreasonably arrogant demonic beasts.

Observing their behavior, Ouyang Li was quite speechless. They all acted as if though he had killed their mothers!

"Even though I suppressed more than half of my strength, it's not just to tempt you guys, all right? Try to be a bit more reasonable!"

He whispered while getting rid of yet another carcass. This time, he simply used a fireball.

Now that he was half a step Immortal Foundation Cultivator, it only took a thought to incinerate something. No fancy techniques were required.

"It's just that humans are way too cunning, so before I enter the sect, I still need to put on some pretense. It's still better to hide my true cultivation base, just in case something happens."

He murmured under his nose.

Fortunately, nothing happened. Sill, Ouyang Li wasn't too happy.

He was traveling fast because he was afraid that he won't be able to suppress his breakthrough for much longer. He was already doing the best he could.

After all, his principles didn't allow him to appear in front of the sect Elders as a true-blue Immortal Foundation cultivator.

"What lifeline would I have if I did that? I'd be outright crazy! No one should know my true strength. Otherwise, it would be too easy for me to get killed!"

Ouyang Li felt a bit troubled. Although the Mysterious Bead allowed him to hide his cultivation base, he didn't know its limits. Was it even possible to make it show the so-called half-a-step Immortal Foundation Realm?

After all, it was a rare or even aberrant cultivation base. Most cultivators who got stuck there stayed like this for the rest of their lives.

After arriving at the sect grounds, Ouyang Li decided to first submit the task in the Mission Hall. He wanted to go to General Affairs Hall to report his promotion later.

However, as the saying goes: Cultivators propose, Heavens dispose.

As soon as he reported where he came from, a senior sister from the Mission Hall left the reception desk and quickly led him toward the Central Peak.

Another Inner Disciple quickly took her place.

Central Peak was a tall mountain located between Outer Peak and Inner Peak. Same as the Inner Peak, it was covered by a powerful Formation Array. It prevented low-level cultivators from seeing what it really looked like.

Now that he had a divine sense, Ouyang Li tried to gently touch the restrictions. He could easily sense that thousands upon thousands of formation flags were arranged inside. It was almost impossible to find the Formation Core.

"No way was this a simple concealing formation." He shuddered. "It must hide some illusion-inducing arrays and probably some killing arrays too."

As soon as Ouyang Li and his senior sister nneared the foot of the mountain, the girl reached into her pocket and took out a small, inconspicuous token. Then, she quickly threw it into the air, and the entrance formed in the formation.

"The seniors instructed me to bring you up the mountain, junior brother Ouyang. We've already received the news from the Fire Mountain Sect. Grand Elder responsible for the Outer Peak is eagerly awaiting your arrival."

Ouyang Li was inwardly shocked. That was a Golden Core cultivator! Does he still stand a chance of lying in front of such experts? It would be difficult to even stand in front of one!

"After you, senior sister" Ouyang Li nodded indifferently, not letting any of his thoughts show on his face.

Soon, they both entered the formation and started to climb up. To Ouyang Li's dismay, there was still a lot of mist swirling around. Even with the help of his divine consciousness, it was almost impossible to see what this place really looked like.

After an incense time passed, a medium-sized palace appeared in front of them. The complex was made up of many connected courtyards with different buildings surrounding it from each cardinal direction.

Purple Qi was gently flowing between its cinnabar columns. The small path leading to the gate soon transformed into a wide road inlaid with jade.

Spiritual Energy was so abundant here that Ouyang Li only barely managed to suppress his breakthrough. His cultivation base was almost automatically revolving here!

"Ah, so this is the disciple who came from that contested area. It turns out that you're much more than meets the eye. Leave us here, girl."

Even before they neared the entrance, an ethereal voice resounded in their minds.

In response, the blue-clad Inner Disciple bowed deeply and left, choosing the same way they took when they came here.

Ouyang Li entered the palace alone. As soon as he crossed the gate, a small ball of light appeared, showing him the way.

A moment later, he stood in front of the closed door.

"An Outer Disciple? His cultivation is almost as high as that of a Steward! Are you sure that he only has low-grade Spiritual Roots?"

Muffled voices could be heard from within. Ouyang Li was surprised that they didn't use Divine Consciousness to communicate. To clear up his doubts, he tried to extend his own senses.

"As expected, it turns out to be impossible..." He murmured while taking a good look around.

Unfortunately, even at this place, there was some strange illusion array disrupting the view. It made objects' edges fuzzy and obscure.

Moreover, looking at one thing for a long time caused one to have a terrible headache.

Soon, the doors opened, and he stood in front of a gold-clad man and three silver-clad Elders.

Only one of them was a woman, and she clearly took great care of her looks. Ouyang Li wouldn't give her more than 30 years of age.

As for the men, they all seemed to be middle-aged. Was it a coincidence or was there some strange psychology involved in such an arrangement? He wondered.

"How come your cultivation is so high?" The silver-clad women asked him brusquely. "It's actually half-a-step Immortal Foundation. Have you taken any pills that caused you to fail in your breakthrough?"

"Give the boy some space Iva. Besides, I think it would be best if the Grand Elder asked his questions first." It was a fat-looking Elder that stopped her.

Ouyang Li wasn't sure if any questioning was necessary. The golden-clad man has already scanned his body thousand times over. The boy felt as if he was already entirely seen through.

"Seniors!" The first thing Ouyang Li did was bow deeply. "This junior is truly sorry to cause such a commotion. It's just that I was unlucky to encounter a remnant soul of some ancient cultivator. And it was there that I've found abundant resources. There were even some legendary Foundation Establishment Pills!"

"Pills? You mean more than one?" A short, sickly-looking Elder interjected. "May we see any of them?"

"This junior is not sure…" Ouyang Li hesitated. He really had no idea what was inside the spatial artifact. "Please, do take a look!"

Then, he took out the ring that he found lying next to the Nascent Soul's formation control flag. He was sure that the silent Grand Elder had long realized that he had one.

As expected, gasps were heard all around, and disbelief could be seen on Elders' faces. However, the golden-clad man still remained indifferent.

He only waved his hand gently. Then, the ring flew toward his open hand.

"Uncle Master, be careful, please. After all, this might be a trick."

The women advised quickly. "Who knows what kind of devilish methods were used to seal this artifact? After all, the Fire Mountain Sect has confirmed that the cultivator in question was extremely powerful. He used unorthodox methods too."

"I wouldn't jump to conclusions, senior sister." Stated the fat man. "Although hundreds of corpses were found there, so far, nothing has been proved."

The Grand Elder still ignored their bickering. Instead, he focused his full attention on the ring.

After studying for an incense worth of time, the man sealed it and placed it somewhere under his robes.

Then, he slowly turned his head towards Ouyang Li.

"As long as you are loyal to the Gentle Wind Valley, the sect won't ask you any uncomfortable questions. The fortuitous encounters that you had... they belong to you, and only you. After all, luck is also part of cultivators' strength. Besides, you've also left most of the resources for our sect. However, I must ask you two questions."

"Go head, senior. This junior will answer to the best of his knowledge." Ouyang Li once again bowed.

Even though the man didn't exude any pressure, Ouyang Li had no doubt that it would only take him a second to quickly end this small, little life of his.

"How long has it been since you've reached the peak of the Qi Refinement Realm? And... have you betrayed the sect for this opportunity to quickly raise your strength?

"This junior wouldn't dare to betray the sect. As for the first question, it's only been three days since I've obtained my current cultivation base."

As if in response to his answer, whispering again resounded in the hall.

"Be quiet!" The Golden Core cultivator raised his hand, and all three Elders were all silenced.

Suddenly, he looked far away thoughtfully. The man seemed to be listening to something. Soon, his eyes focused once again.

"Hear my decree! From now on, Ouyang Li is to become the Steward who operates our Waste Disposal Array Formation. Besides that, he will also receive the resources corresponding to his new position in the sect.

Ouyang Li was shocked. This time, he even allowed it to show on his face.

Could it be that I'm really free from suspicions?

He wondered. Impossible! Or does the sect really don't care about me?

"Now, if there are no further questions, you are all free to disperse. I have other things to take care of." Then, the golden-clad man disappeared.

The three silver-clad elders looked at each other for a moment. Then, they all bowed toward the East and left the hall. Clearly, it wasn't the first time something like this happened.

Seeing Ouyang Li's hesitation, one of the Elders came to him and quietly whispered a few comforting words.

"Worry not, steward Ouyang. The General Affairs Hall will surely provide you with everything you need to confirm your status. As for the peak-protecting formation outside this building, take this cinnabar token with you. It should lead you out.