After several conversations with Shang Shuyu, Qin Chu knew that Shang Shuyu was a person with a story and carried an Aura of self-reliance.
Closing his eyes for a moment, Qin Chu wielded his Azure Spirit Sword and began to Cultivate his swordsmanship again, combining the Heaven-Shaking Sword Art and basic swordsmanship.
Luo Zhen watched from the shadows. He thought Qin Chu was very capable; his basic swordsmanship had reached the Great Perfection Realm, and his Heaven-Shaking Sword Art was also quite refined. Yet, even so, he continued to Cultivate diligently.
Some principles are not understood by newly initiated Cultivators, but Luo Zhen understood them. In the world of Cultivators, a Cultivator who knows ten thousand ultimate moves is not terrifying. What is terrifying is the person who practices one ultimate move ten thousand times. Being proficient in one skill is better than being mediocre in many, and Qin Chu belonged to the latter.
As Qin Chu diligently Cultivated, the Heaven-Shaking Sword Art and basic swordsmanship gradually merged. It was no longer possible to distinguish which move was a basic sword move and which was from the Heaven-Shaking Sword Art.
In the evening, Er Pang brought Qin Chu his meal: four dishes, a mix of meat and vegetables, and a small jar of wine. This was a treatment even Inner Sect Disciples couldn't achieve. The kitchen staff knew Qin Chu's situation and admired him, so they specially prepared his meals every day. Of course, the other Utility Disciples in the Utility Disciple Courtyard also saw an improvement in their food.
The status of Utility Disciples on Azure Bamboo Peak had changed because the Utility Disciple Courtyard now had several promising talents. Besides Qin Chu, there were also Bai Yu, Lin Zheng, and a few other Disciples, all of whom were excellent.
"Er Pang, have you eaten?" Qin Chu asked, looking at Er Pang.
"Boss, you don't need to worry about me. Lin Zheng and I will eat together," Er Pang replied.
"What about Bai Yu?" Qin Chu asked.
"He's in seclusion. He started yesterday," Er Pang said.
"Er Pang, your cultivation was a bit lacking this year, so you didn't qualify to become an Outer Sect Disciple. Now that you've entered the Qi Condensation Realm, you should get promoted next year. You can't stay a Utility Disciple forever," Qin Chu said, looking at Er Pang, who was already in the Qi Condensation Realm.
Er Pang shook his head, "The Utility Hall is very good. I'm not considering a promotion, and I won't in the future either. If I need Medicinal Pills and resources, I'll just work hard on tasks and earn points to exchange for them."
Qin Chu didn't know how to persuade him. He himself didn't care, but others were different. It was better to get promoted if possible, as the treatment was different.
"Boss, you are very outstanding. You won't stay in the Utility Hall for long, and neither will Bai Yu and Lin Zheng. If we all leave, the Utility Disciple Courtyard will return to its past state, losing its dignity and status. So, as long as I am in the Azure Cloud Sect for a day, I will stay in the Utility Hall for a day, ensuring the Utility Disciple Courtyard doesn't change and the reputation you've built doesn't fall!" Er Pang explained his reason for not getting promoted.
Qin Chu sighed and said nothing more. He had no idea how much the Utility Disciples valued the reputation he had established; it was their dignity, even their faith, something no one wanted to lose.
After Er Pang left and he finished dinner, Qin Chu sat cross-legged to Cultivate Origin Qi.
On the Main Peak, Su Shanhe, Zhang Ji, and Gan Qing were conversing.
"The Blood Blade Sect and Wolf King Hall are coming aggressively this time; it's a big problem," Zhang Ji said.
"No need to rush. When they challenge us, they'll target Azure Bamboo Peak first. Qin Chu caused this, so Luo Zhen will bear the brunt. Elder Zhang, pay close attention to the situation!" Su Shanhe said after taking a sip of tea.
Zhang Ji cupped his fists at Su Shanhe and left.
"Vice Sect Master, our Azure Cloud Sect might not be able to withstand this time!" Gan Qing said.
"The Blood Blade Sect, Wolf King Hall, and Morning Star Pavilion are coming aggressively. This is a big problem. If it doesn't work, we'll have to ask the Sect Master to come out of seclusion," Su Shanhe said.
"There are some things Gan Qing wants to discuss with the Vice Sect Master. The Vice Sect Master now has two choices," Gan Qing said, looking at Su Shanhe.
"Hmm, speak!" Su Shanhe looked at Gan Qing. He had a vague feeling, but he needed Gan Qing to clarify.
"It should be said that these are our two choices. There are two possibilities. One is that the Azure Cloud Sect defeats the Blood Blade Sect, Wolf King Hall, and Morning Star Pavilion. In that case, this Prince can use the Azure Cloud Sect's influence to ascend in the Gan Dynasty. Then, this Prince will exert effort to support the Vice Sect Master's ascension. The other possibility is the destruction of the Azure Cloud Sect. This would also be a great achievement for this Prince, as the existence of Sect forces is something this Prince's Imperial Father dislikes. If the Azure Cloud Sect is destroyed, and the Vice Sect Master assists this Prince, there will be no problem with being granted official titles and promotions; you can enjoy a life of glory!" Gan Qing said, looking at Su Shanhe.
Su Shanhe fell silent. He naturally understood some things; the Gan Dynasty was very displeased with the major Sects within its borders and had always wanted to eliminate them but lacked the opportunity and some strength. If the Azure Cloud Sect were destroyed under his and Gan Qing's manipulation, it would indeed be a great achievement.
"We don't know the Sect Master's attitude, and there are also two old fellows. If they interfere, things will be very difficult to handle!" Su Shanhe said. He was quite satisfied with both choices Gan Qing presented.
"The main thing is the Sect Master's attitude. The two old fellows, although they are Grand Elders, cannot disregard the Sect Master's decree. Would they really bear the evil name of being rebellious? They wouldn't!" Gan Qing said.
Su Shanhe was silent for a while, "When the Sect Master comes out of seclusion, this Seat will have some discussions with him."
Gan Qing nodded. Su Shanhe had relented and shown interest, so the rest depended on the Sect Master's attitude. Whether the Azure Cloud Sect defeated its opponents or failed, it aligned with his interests. Before he came to the Azure Cloud Sect, his Imperial Father's intention was for him to resolve the hidden danger. Whether the Azure Cloud Sect was destroyed or Su Shanhe eventually took control of the Azure Cloud Sect, he would be the biggest beneficiary.
That day, after Qin Chu took a medicinal bath and was about to Cultivate his swordsmanship, Liu Xue arrived, carrying a teapot and some daily necessities.
"You really are something. You don't get promoted to Inner Sect Disciple and just live a hard life here, not even bothering to go to town to get some things for yourself," Liu Xue said while helping Qin Chu tidy his wooden hut.
"I don't really care about these things. It's nice to be alone and quiet. Being an Inner Sect Disciple is probably nothing more than this!" Qin Chu said with a smile. In the past, he and the old man lived a hard life in the deep mountains, so he was used to it.
Liu Xue replaced Qin Chu's bedding with new ones, set out a new tea set for him, and then took out two sets of white robes, placing them on the wooden chair.
"Senior Sister, this isn't appropriate. I'm a Utility Disciple and can't wear luxurious robes. Although coarse cloth robes are a bit inferior, I'm already used to them," Qin Chu said, looking at the robes he was wearing.
Liu Xue said nothing more. She felt that the old saying, "People rely on clothes, horses rely on saddles," didn't apply to Qin Chu. Although Qin Chu wore coarse cloth robes, he was very clean, and they couldn't conceal his inherent Aura and Qi.
Qin Chu poured Liu Xue a cup of tea, "Thank you, Senior Sister, for coming to see me."
"You saved me twice, and I don't even know how to thank you. I forgot to tell you, I've entered the Fourth Realm and am now a Core Disciple, but I've noticed that most Core Disciples are aligned with Gan Qing," Liu Xue said.
"He's a scoundrel. Don't give me a chance. If I get one, I'll kill him!" Qin Chu's eyes showed killing intent, as many problems were caused by Gan Qing.
