[You absorbed the remaining lifespan of a gray donkey: 9 years]
After Song Yan completed the shadow puppet, the information popped up again, his lifespan had once more increased.
Looking at how easily he gained lifespan, feeling the power of the first layer of Profound Refining within him, and knowing his Ghost Profound Root now had no fear of the foul mist, Song Yan felt like he could hide here forever.
But there was a problem that needed solving, and that was concealing his aura.
What would happen if, in a year during the test, the disciples or the Elder discovered that the profound qi in his body was not just a mere "strand" but had formed a spring?
Would they be shocked at his unparalleled talent and fight amongst themselves to take him as their disciple?
Song Yan silently shook his head.
First of all, he was assigned to be a servant because his aptitude wasn't good; the ability to cultivate profound qi was only due to his inferior profound root.
Among inferior profound roots, the Ghost Profound Root was already on par with the Five Elements Profound Root, ranking as a high-grade profound root.
Above that was only the legendary Celestial Profound Root.
With his Ghost Profound Root, he had cultivated for twenty-five or six years in the foul mist to cultivate a spring's worth of profound qi, what... kind of great opportunity would it take to cultivate that in just one year?
He couldn't think of it, nor could others easily imagine it.
Thus, the greatest possibility was that he would be "dissected" and used with techniques like the "Soul Searching Technique" he had read in novels before transmigration, to uncover secrets.
This is the Demon Sect!
However, Song Yan didn't think he would necessarily be discovered, after all, testing servants was such a minor task, and chances were it wouldn't be so strict, so perhaps his worrying was unnecessary.
But he didn't dare gamble, since there was a possibility, he needed to find a solution and then steadily transition to the next level.
A technique for concealing aura!
He urgently needed this!
Within a year's time, he had to find a way to obtain it.
...
...
In the afternoon, during the unmarked hour, there was a bit of commotion outside the Tannery, Song Yan turned his head to look, and saw more than ten new servants being brought in.
He returned his gaze.
The turnover rate for servants was quite fast, replenishing people was normal.
Qiu Lianyue's eyes flashed with some fear, she lowered her head and continued skin making.
Soon, it was evening.
In the twilight sunset, as Song Yan stood up, Qiu Lianyue hurriedly leaned close, grabbing his arm as if clutching a lifeline, a soft form pressing onto him.
Song Yan let her cling to him, saying: "Let's pick a new room."
"Okay." Qiu Lianyue nodded like a hen pecking rice.
The two followed the crowd out of the Tannery.
As they walked, Song Yan's gaze suddenly flicked over, he just happened to catch sight of Qi Yao, who was speaking with a man at the edge of the cliff behind an old tree.
Recognizing him, Song Yan furrowed his brow slightly, a strange premonition arose in his heart.
Soon after, Qi Yao and that servant walked together towards the Suspended Room.
The new servant suddenly turned his head, seeming to sense being watched, but scanned the crowd without finding the one spying on him.
"What's wrong?" Qi Yao asked.
"Nothing, we'll talk inside." The new servant said cautiously, lowering his voice.
After a brief exchange, the two rushed into the Suspended Room.
...
...
Song Yan also entered the Suspended Room, after hanging up the blanket, he lay down comfortably.
In this perilous world, he had already put away all traces of a romantic mindset he might have had before transmigration.
In a place like this, better to act pragmatically.
Qiu Lianyue drew close, her eyes discreetly glanced elsewhere, shyly coming to Song Yan's side, massaging his shoulders and arms, and as she kneaded, her delicate hands grew bolder, venturing downward, a soft cry, and five fingers caught a dragon...
After events indescribable and colorful occurred, Song Yan took the night shift, while Qiu Lianyue finally had a good sleep.
...
...
Once Song Yan adapted to the Tannery's environment, the daily routine of skin making turned tedious and monotonous, time sped up.
In the blink of an eye, a month had passed.
In that month, he gained a total of 452 years of lifespan, reaching a maximum of 508.
During this month, to avoid exposure, he occasionally cautiously used the "Profound Qi Guiding Technique" to dual cultivate with Qiu Lianyue, causing her body to appear somewhat frail.
Meanwhile, Wang Susu had already changed partners, the previous youth vanished without a trace, Wang Susu simply said "unfit for mountain climate, might have accidentally bumped into evil qi, sigh..."
No one uncovered her lie.
Those unaware naturally didn't understand dual cultivation.
Those who knew were accomplices, why would they say anything? Even if they did, what could be done? Mountain evil qi was plenty, the foul mist may only appear at night, but it could also pervade the air during the day, causing some unlucky souls to encounter it; it wasn't uncommon for servants to die this way. Servants had become accustomed.
On this day, an Official Disciple from Shadow Puppet Peak arrived, checking everyone's skin making count, handing out a small Jade Token to disciples who reached a count of 30, instructing: "The Jade Token records Contribution Points, just hold it to check.
If you wish to use Contribution Points, go down the mountain.
There's a small low-level marketplace there, outside disciples may set up stalls, as may outsiders, but outsiders can't take your Contribution Points; they may ask you to use Contribution Points to buy things.
Contribution Points are precious outside the sect, they can buy a lot of gadgets. But remember, if you delay your shadow puppet tasks due to visiting the mid-mountain area, you won't have good consequences."
Song Yan grasped the Jade Token, examined it; he had exactly 2 Contribution Points in his token, and the Official Disciple's words made him think the Tannery was likely located at the edge of Shadow Puppet Peak, yet he was curious... how could outsiders do business in a place like the Demon Sect?
He was pondering this, when felt his arm nudged.
Turning his head to see Qiu Lianyue staring at him with beautiful eyes, she softly said: "Brother Song, my Jade Token has 1 Contribution Point too, take it."
Song Yan accepted it.
Qiu Lianyue forced a smile.
Her survival now fully depended on the man before her.
Song Yan feigned curiosity, looked towards the Official Disciple, and asked: "Sir, can I use someone else's Jade Token too?"
The disciple who gave out the tokens was the same as the Transmission of Skills disciple from that day, looked at Song Yan, then at the weak girl beside him, understanding this could be a future junior brother, said: "Of course you can use it, I didn't say the Jade Tokens recorded names."
After speaking, he added softly: "But don't worry too much, in daylight, anyone daring to commit acts on Shadow Puppet Peak hasn't been born yet; at night... you all return to the mountain top, naturally no trouble."
Song Yan nodded thoughtfully, bowed and said: "Thank you."
...
...
Having obtained Contribution Points, Song Yan didn't plan to go immediately, preferring to observe others first.
The increase in lifespan endowed him with a previously absent quality, patience.
He had ample time, making him extremely patient.
If spending a day or two could allow him to learn more about a place he was about to visit, he would wait without hesitation.
But this evening, after returning to the Suspended Room and joking with Qiu Lianyue, she lay in his arms, whispering: "Brother Song, before I was taken, I was actually the daughter of a business association, so I know a little about the marketplace that gentleman mentioned.
Though ordinary people may be there, they are all ruthless bandits, selling stolen goods they seized...
You must be careful going there."
She looked nervously at Song Yan, afraid he might encounter danger.
The reason for giving Song Yan her Contribution Points was also out of fear of dying halfway, being a businessperson, she was too accustomed to words like "anyone daring to commit acts on Shadow Puppet Peak hasn't been born yet."
Trading goods, who doesn't boast? Especially the cunning Demon Sect?
Song Yan gazed at the girl in his arms, patted her head, saying: "Got it."
Then added: "Your body is weak, I'll see if there are any tonics, if so, I'll bring some for you."