Chapter 2: Three Months, Spiritual Root Supplement

Chen Shen had prior experience in cultivation, so consolidating his realm didn't take much time. Everything felt natural.

He stepped out of his small thatched hut, pushing open the worn-out wooden door, and entered the snow-covered land.

Today was the beginning of the month—the day to receive his salary.

The Cangwu Sect was structured like a large organization. The Sect Master was akin to a CEO, the elders were the board of directors, the peak masters held high-ranking positions, the inner disciples were the middle management, and the outer disciples were official employees. Meanwhile, the handymen were more like probationary workers.

Though Chen Shen's position as a corpse collector was unique and often disregarded, it still granted him an official salary. Unlike handymen, he was recognized as an outer disciple in status, and he valued this benefit greatly.

Snowflakes drifted through the air, landing lightly on his face. He brushed them off as he stepped onto the massive stone bridge leading away from Tianzhu Mountain.

Despite possessing the original owner's memories, this was his first time crossing the bridge and entering the heart of Cangwu Sect.

Beyond Tianzhu Mountain lay Cangwu Mountain, the bustling hub where disciples gathered and sect affairs were managed.

Standing on the bridge, Chen Shen took in the breathtaking sight before him. Towering peaks rose into the heavens, wreathed in mist and clouds like pillars holding up the sky. These were the core mountains where the true elites of the sect cultivated in seclusion.

As he moved past the thick clouds enveloping Cangwu Mountain, he found himself in a lively and bustling scene.

Disciples soared through the sky on flying swords, while radiant streaks of light signified the presence of powerful figures moving at incredible speeds. Celestial cranes glided gracefully above, their cries echoing through the air.

On the ground, sect disciples walked in groups, chatting and laughing, filling the area with energy.

Chen Shen followed his memories and made his way to the Outer Sect Stewardship Office, blending into the crowd without drawing attention to himself.

Upon reaching the payroll office, he found it packed with people. Long lines stretched across the hall.

For most disciples without significant talent or background, the spiritual stones provided as salary were as precious as gold. They were an essential resource for cultivation.

Although the sect was filled with spiritual energy, it couldn't compare to the refined power of spirit stones, which greatly enhanced one's cultivation speed.

To those with exceptional talent, spirit stones were merely a minor boost. However, for lower-level cultivators, they were lifelines, offering them a fighting chance to ascend the ranks.

Chen Shen patiently lined up, waiting his turn.

As he reached the middle of the queue, he sensed a group of people approaching.

One of them had a particularly strong aura, his presence commanding attention.

The surrounding disciples turned to look, but Chen Shen kept his head down, avoiding unnecessary trouble.

As the group passed by, he stole a quick glance and then immediately lowered his gaze.

Suddenly, a disciple from the group grabbed someone from the front of the line and forcibly pulled them aside. He then respectfully allowed the leader to take their place.

"Step back!" the man barked at those behind him.

His followers immediately took positions behind him, forcing everyone else to retreat.

The unfortunate disciple who had been pulled out of the line had an ugly expression but said nothing.

"Zhou Zheng, bullying again, I see," a sneering voice came from the other side.

Chen Shen remained motionless, keeping his head down.

The leader, Zhou Zheng, glanced at the speaker but remained indifferent. "Next year's Spring Tournament is coming up. You'd better not cross me before then."

"If it weren't for your inner sect brother protecting you, you'd already be buried," the other disciple scoffed.

Not long after, Chen Shen received his salary—five low-grade spirit stones.

He noticed that the other outer disciples received ten but chose not to complain.

Without lingering, he left the payroll office and quickly made his way back to Tianzhu Mountain.

His entire body remained tense, wary of being targeted.

Only when he stepped back onto the Sky Burial Mountain did he finally let out a sigh of relief.

Back in his hut, Chen Shen took out the spirit stones and examined them.

"The spiritual energy is incredibly pure," he murmured, feeling the rich essence within the stones.

Crushing one in his hand, he immediately sensed the spiritual energy dispersing into the room, making his breathing smoother and his cultivation base slightly stronger.

One after another, he crushed all five stones and sat cross-legged, entering a deep state of cultivation.

---

Three Months Later

Time passed in the blink of an eye. Winter faded, and spring arrived.

On Tianzhu Mountain, a gentle breeze swept through the air, accompanied by light drizzle.

Standing before a newly dug grave, Chen Shen received his rewards from the system.

Acquired Skills: Cangwu Immortal Method (Fifth Layer), Fire Bomb Technique, Wind Movement Technique.

Spiritual Root Enhancement: Partial Supplement.

In the past three months, he had buried hundreds of bodies. Unfortunately, none of them possessed powerful techniques.

Most of the deceased were low-level outer disciples, lacking access to high-tier spells.

The disciple he buried today was one of the strongest so far.

Still, after three months of accumulation, his progress was significant.

He now possessed a solid foundation in the Cangwu Immortal Method, allowing him to reach the fifth layer of Qi Training.

His Fire Bomb Technique had reached mastery—he could now cast it with unrivaled proficiency.

He had also gained the Wind Movement Technique, a basic movement skill, but it was not yet perfected.

However, he still hadn't obtained knowledge in auxiliary arts such as alchemy, artifact refinement, talisman-making, or formations.

He especially desired formation techniques, particularly concealment arrays and spirit-gathering formations, which would be invaluable for his future survival.

Suddenly, a surge of power coursed through his body.

His spiritual root had been fully replenished!

He now possessed a complete, albeit low-grade, spiritual root.

Chen Shen was overjoyed. His connection to the world's spiritual energy had strengthened significantly.

Previously, he estimated that breaking through to the mid-stage of Qi Training would take two to three more months.

But with a complete spiritual root, he might achieve it within a month—or even sooner.

---

The Next Morning

Chen Shen opened his eyes from cultivation, a smile playing on his lips.

His speed of absorbing spiritual energy had increased noticeably. He could almost feel his cultivation improving in real-time.

After tidying up, he stepped outside.

That's when he saw a tall, burly man approaching his hut.

The man wore the white robe of an outer disciple and carried an unmistakable air of authority. A faint murderous aura lingered around him.

It was clear at a glance—this was not someone to be trifled with.