If the Human King physique were an exceptionally rare constitution with scant Sect records, his ’insincerity’ here wouldn’t be an issue. But the Human King physique, while indeed rare, isn’t *that* uncommon in the Cultivation World...
As far as he knew, the Flying Feather Immortal Palace alone had two individuals with the Human King physique: himself and Song Knife.
The major Immortal Sects should all possess abundant records on the Human King physique.
Overthinking is pointless...
If all Human King physiques recorded by the Sect share similar temperants, that would actually be to my advantage. Once others form a fixed impression of , it becos easier to profit from it...
Besides, it still cos down to the sa thing. Insincerity or hypocrisy, at least I’ve accomplished tangible deeds. In the eyes of the Sect’s high-level mbers, would they really suppress just because my motives aren’t pure?
Small powers might act that way, but large powers must adhere to principles more strictly.
Xu Xing initially tensed up, but after a mont’s thought, he relaxed.
Elder Shi spoke again, choosing his words carefully, "Your performance today... I will report it to the Sect. The last ti True Lord Song acted similarly, although he collected slightly less Purple Magpie Morning Glow, the Sect still rewarded him. I recall it was a Six Harmonies Scattering Light Sword Pill. This sword pill is Eighth Rank, valued at 15,000 Spirit Shells. While not as valuable as the Second-class Purple Magpie Morning Glow here, it was a token of the Sect’s appreciation..."
Purple Magpie Morning Glow is a rare treasure for cultivation.
A Second-class Purple Magpie Morning Glow, when sold externally, is priced at 30,000 Spirit Shells.
However, other minor sects lack Spirit Lands like Purple Magpie Valley, which are rich in Cloud Mist. Thus, if Second-class Purple Magpie Morning Glow were actually sold, it would typically fetch around 40,000 Spirit Shells.
Scarcity drives up value.
As for the First-class Purple Magpie Morning Glow, a grade above Second-class... if auctioned in the outside world, it would command at least 100,000 Spirit Shells. It’s truly a rare find.
Spirit Shells are relatively easy to obtain; cultivation treasures are not!
The value of sword pills, however, is considerably lower.
The Sect can refine as many sword pills below Third Rank as it wishes.
"If you have any regrets... there’s still ti now. With your movent technique, you could acquire at least one more portion of Second-class Morning Glow and three portions of Third-class Morning Glow. Going back in and out would an a loss of 30,000 to 40,000 Spirit Shells. That amount is enough to save you considerable effort in your Early Stage Cultivation. Opportunities like those in Purple Magpie Valley are few and far between."
Elder Shi glanced at the progress of the other Outer Sect Disciples before advising Xu Xing further.
Are tangible benefits in hand more important, or is the Sect’s evaluation of oneself more critical? Everyone makes a different choice.
As a Sect elder, while he admired Xu Xing’s righteous act, he didn’t want Xu Xing to regret this day’s decision later. After all, wealth, companions, cultivation thods, and resource-rich lands are crucial for cultivation, and wealth is paramount among them.
Sotis, even a hero can be undone by a lack of funds.
Not to ntion a loss of 30,000 to 40,000 Spirit Shells.
"Disciple... my mind is made up."
Xu Xing thanked Elder Shi for his counsel. A faint smile touched his lips as he calmly stated, "I once heard a Sect Senior Brother ntion that an ordinary Outer Sect Disciple earns rely 150 Spirit Shells a year. Forty thousand Spirit Shells would take an Outer Sect Disciple over 260 years of hard work to accumulate..."
"Since you already understand the value of tens of thousands of Spirit Shells..." Elder Shi’s brow furrowed slightly in confusion.
He had assud Xu Xing, new to the Sect, didn’t grasp the value of Spirit Shells and was thus offering advice. He didn’t want Xu Xing to feign magnanimity and thereby ruin his promising future.
However, Xu Xing’s words clearly indicated he understood the value of these tens of thousands of Spirit Shells.
"But that applies to *ordinary* Outer Sect Disciples!"
Xu Xing stood level with Elder Shi, both hovering above the ground, their shoes untouched by dust. His Innate True Qi enveloped him, mingling with the Cloud Mist drifting from Purple Magpie Valley, giving him the appearance of an Immortal Exiled to the Mortal Realm. "A gentleman seizes his opportunity when the ti is right. If the ti is not right, he is carried along like a tumbleweed, his destiny not his own."
"Now, the ti is on my side; I can afford to let this go."
His words now carried less of his earlier feigned humility.
He didn’t voice the latter half of his thought.
But the aning was clear: if ti were *not* on my side, I would have to seize it.
Xu Xing had already discerned the Flying Feather Immortal Palace’s philosophy: natural selection, survival of the fittest. Yet, it didn’t entirely extinguish the hopes of Commoner Ascetic Monks, offering them a sliver of opportunity.
His actions this day were in accord with the Sect’s philosophy...
"Excellent!"
Elder Shi nodded slightly, his appreciation for Xu Xing growing even more.
No cultivator is entirely selfless. A cultivator who isn’t self-interested won’t go far on the Immortal Journey.
However, a cultivator who, despite having eaten his fill, is still willing to share a bite with others... the Sect needs precisely such people.
「One hour later.」
The Outer Sect Disciples gradually gathered outside the valley.
"Thank you, Senior Brother Xu, for your assistance."
Ouyang Pan’an approached Xu Xing with small steps, curtsied slightly, and expressed her gratitude.
In Purple Magpie Valley, Xu Xing had given her Second-class Morning Glow, and his conduct had been polite enough. Yet, the impatience on his face had been unmistakable. She knew she was in the wrong. Back then, her father, Ouyang Shuda, had shown so kindness to Xu Xing, but it wasn’t a significant favor. Moreover, by leveraging that past kindness for present gain, she had exhausted the little friendship that might have existed between her and Xu Xing.
"It’s nothing," Xu Xing nodded in return, his deanor outwardly amiable. "Just a small matter..."
But anyone could perceive the coldness and distance in his expression.
In truth, he held no particular animosity towards Ouyang Pan’an for this. On the contrary, he rather admired her approach. To exchange a so-called debt of gratitude for a portion of Second-class Morning Glow...
He would have done the sa in her position.
Extrely cost-effective!
However... every action has its price.
After she had leveraged the favor, if he didn’t maintain his distance and treat her coolly, others might perceive him as a pushover. Given his temperant, Ouyang Pan’an’s minor maneuver was hardly enough to stir his emotions.
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