As a formation master, He Song could earn more spirit stones.
As an outer sect disciple of the Earth Sect, he could also receive a generous annual stipend.
With this combination.
The number of spirit stones He Song possessed would undoubtedly grow larger and larger. Eventually, he might not even need to consider the price when buying things.
However, this was just a thought.
In the cultivation world, many truly valuable items were priceless.
Either they were exchanged through barter.
Or they were seized by force.
Using spirit stones to purchase truly precious items was often impossible.
Moreover, most of those who became outer sect disciples of the Earth Sect were triple-spirit-root cultivators.
Triple-spirit-root cultivators cultivated much faster than He Song, who had a quadruple spirit root. They also had a higher chance of breaking through to Foundation Establishment.
Although the Earth Sect occupied a vast territory, the number of disciples was not particularly large.
Triple-spirit-root cultivators were not common.
As for those with even better talent, such as earth spirit roots or heaven spirit roots, they were even rarer.
Additionally, once an outer sect disciple of the Earth Sect reached the age of sixty without breaking through to Foundation Establishment, they would be sent out of the sect.
From then on, their annual stipend would change.
This resulted in the number of outer sect disciples in the Earth Sect always being relatively small.
As He Song and the other three walked from the outer sect elder's residence to He Song's courtyard, they didn't encounter many people.
The courtyards they passed were also rarely protected by formations.
The courtyard of an outer sect disciple of the Earth Sect.
The spiritual energy inside was incredibly dense, far surpassing the courtyard He Song had acquired in Bamboo Mountain Immortal Market.
After inviting everyone into his courtyard and chatting for a while, Wei Fan, Pinger, and Chu Shuangshuang stayed for only a short time before returning to their own residences.
Their residences were not too far from He Song's, but they weren't exactly close either.
Occasional visits would still be possible.
After seeing the other three off, He Song returned to his courtyard and activated the formations.
Instantly, a mist enveloped He Song's courtyard.
At the same time, He Song felt an invisible force protecting the entire courtyard.
The Maze Formation and the Five Elements Formation had been activated.
Seeing this, He Song finally relaxed and casually sat down on a chair in the courtyard.
Then, he took out his small cargo storage bag and his original inferior storage bag, transferring all the items from these two bags into his new storage bag.
After completing this task, He Song thought for a moment and decided to keep the small cargo storage bag and the inferior storage bag in his sleeve.
These items might still come in handy later.
He then picked up the communication talisman issued by the Earth Sect and examined it for a while before letting out a soft sigh.
Various thoughts flashed through his mind.
"After becoming an outer sect disciple of the Earth Sect, I can choose one cultivation art, two spells, and one technique for free."
"As for the technique, since my earth spirit root is the strongest among my four spirit roots, I probably don't need to change the Earth Scripture."
"As for the cultivation arts... tomorrow, I'll go and see. If there's an introductory text on formations, I'll choose the beginner's guide to formations along with the introductory text."
"At worst, after I've fully mastered them, I can claim that I've been studying them for years but never made any progress."
"Then, I might even be able to exchange for an introductory text on talismans."
"As for the two spells, I'll choose a powerful sword technique and a fast movement technique."
"The twenty acres of spirit fields near Bamboo Mountain Immortal Market still need to be harvested every year.
The distance between the two places is over ten thousand miles, so a fast movement technique would save a lot of time."
"Moreover, now that my cultivation has reached the late stage of Qi Refining, and I'm equipped with magical tools and talismans, not to mention being a disciple of the Earth Sect, I no longer need to use Earth Escape when traveling. I don't have to worry about encountering danger."
"If I can't win a fight, I can still run away."
"The sword techniques and other spells taught to disciples of the Earth Sect should be much more powerful than those used by ordinary rogue cultivators, right?"
Sitting in his chair, He Song played with the communication talisman in his hand while planning his next steps.
Having just joined the Earth Sect, he was still unfamiliar with many things.
Naturally, he could only rely on the information he had gathered to make his plans.
The twenty acres of spirit fields near Bamboo Mountain Immortal Market were definitely not something he could give up.
They were currently his largest source of income.
Therefore, harvesting them once a year became He Song's top priority.
A movement technique specifically designed for travel, with incredible speed, became He Song's first choice.
In addition, a powerful sword technique would ensure that He Song wouldn't have to worry about being chased down by rogue cultivators while using the movement technique on the ground.
With a powerful sword technique at his disposal, along with his magical tools, talismans, and robes, He Song's combat strength was no longer what it used to be.
If he ever encountered a rogue cultivator, it might not be the rogue cultivator chasing He Song, but He Song punishing evil and upholding justice.
These two spells were essential.
So was the introductory text on formations.
However, just as He Song was pondering these things and beginning to think about how to cultivate to rapidly increase his strength.
He suddenly sensed that the formations protecting his courtyard had been triggered.
Instinctively, He Song's hands reached for two high-grade Earth Talismans, and the Earth Shield appeared beside him.
It wasn't until He Song remembered that he was within the Earth Sect that the tension on his face disappeared.
As a formation master, he had momentarily forgotten where he was.
He had thought he was back in Bamboo Mountain Immortal Market, where someone had triggered his formations.
With the tension gone, He Song put away the high-grade Earth Talismans and the Earth Shield.
After straightening his robes, He Song took out his token and waved it.
Soon.
The Maze Formation and the Five Elements Formation dissipated, revealing the scene outside the courtyard.
Outside the courtyard, Meng Guan and Wei Fan were marveling at the sight of the formations disappearing.
Seeing He Song come out to greet them, the two stepped into the courtyard.
After seating them in the courtyard, He Song waved his hand, and the Maze Formation and the Five Elements Formation activated again, enveloping the entire courtyard.
"Fellow Daoist He, you've really mastered the art of controlling formations quickly. I hadn't even started learning when I returned to my courtyard, but Old Meng was already back."
As he spoke, Wei Fan glanced at Meng Guan beside him and shook his head.
Meng Guan and True Person Clear Moon had gone to meet the Sect Master, while He Song and Wei Fan had gone with Pinger and Chu Shuangshuang to see the outer sect elder.
Although their tasks were different, the time taken was about the same.
Thus, when Wei Fan had been sitting with He Song for a while and then went to find his own courtyard, Meng Guan had also arrived.
Then, the two of them came together to visit He Song.
(End of Chapter)
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