The usually bustling Internal Affairs Hall has become quite deserted due to the sect warfare, with only a few Outer Sect disciples seeking ideal tasks.
As he walked through, the Outer Sect disciples, upon seeing him in his Inner Sect disciple attire, unconsciously stepped aside, bowing their heads in respect.
There were even fewer Inner Sect disciples; Zheng Yi only saw two or three along the way, all unfamiliar faces.
Each of them was in a hurry, not lingering, nor exchanging any pleasantries with him.
Passing through the outer hall and into the inner hall, an elderly and shriveled steward received him.
"Senior, I am a newly promoted Inner Sect disciple of the sect, here to collect an Inner Sect task..."
"There are many things I don't understand, and I hope Steward will not hesitate to enlighten me."
As he spoke, Zheng Yi flipped his right hand, producing a bag of stored spirit stones, and silently handed it over.
"Hmm..."
The elderly steward had presumably seen this sort of thing many times, his face showing no change.
With a skill even more adept than Zheng Yi's, he discreetly pocketed the bag.
At the same time, his Divine Thought penetrated the unguarded bag, his face immediately breaking into a friendly smile, looking more favorably upon Zheng Yi.
Despite just a casual probe, the weight and quantity in the bag delighted him, very much satisfied.
He felt the presence of no less than thirty pieces of low-grade spirit stones as soon as he touched it.
"Hmm? Not bad, not bad!"
Putting the bag into his bosom with a smile climbing onto his face, the elder nodded repeatedly at Zheng Yi.
Whether the 'not bad, not bad' was praising Zheng Yi himself or the spirit stones, was unknown.
"My surname is Zhang, and I am a steward from the Internal Affairs Hall, responsible for task arrangements for the next half month."
"What is your name?"
Elder Zhang's attitude underwent a complete transformation, smiling as he asked.
"Reply to Steward Zhang, this junior is Zheng Yi."
Taking out the Inner Sect disciple token from his bosom and handing it over, Steward Zhang touched the token with his task register, instantly displaying all of Zheng Yi's information.
After a slight review, Steward Zhang's eyes brightened, smiling, "So you are a descendant of Elder Gongsun."
"I see you just joined the sect not long ago and are already eager to dedicate yourself to it, truly worthy of being an elder's disciple."
"Do you have any particular tasks in mind this time?"
Steward Zhang did not say much, taking money to dispel disaster.
Having come to the Internal Affairs Hall, and also offering such a significant gift, it's hard to believe Zheng Yi has no intentions.
People from the Demon Dao emphasize survival of the fittest and adapt readily to circumstances; their approach is straightforward and candid.
Since Steward Zhang received the offering, he didn't shy away, directly letting Zheng Yi choose for himself.
"This disciple is of low power, hoping to obtain a relatively safe guarding task, I wish Steward to favor this request."
Zheng Yi naturally wouldn't choose the task himself, instead conveying his desires.
If he were truly an heir of Elder Gongsun, he might act boldly, but unfortunately, he is not.
With him using Elder Gongsun's name too much, future troubles will increase, especially if someone decided to ask Elder Gongsun personally, it would not be worthwhile.
Using Elder Gongsun's name for personal gain is certainly a crime he cannot escape.
As for Steward Zhang self-interpreting, linking him with Elder Gongsun through some information in the Inner Sect disciple token, it's unrelated to him.
Sometimes borrowing power, pretending to be strong, requires skill.
"Hmm? Guarding task, safe one?"
Without further thought, Steward Zhang checked the task register according to Zheng Yi's idea, contemplating for a long time before confirming a guarding task with a small-scale ore vein.
It is a small black iron ore vein located three hundred miles from the sect, requiring disciple rotation as the current guard's tenure expires. Originally, a disciple with at least Qi Cultivation Fifth or Sixth Layer was needed.
But now with sect staffing being critical, many skilled Inner Sect disciples are deployed to the front lines, Zheng Yi's current cultivation realm can barely substitute.
Considering variable circumstances, adapting appropriately poses no problem.
With Steward Zhang's authority, he can make such decisions.
Then he demonstrated the task information to Zheng Yi, explaining the guarding requirements and important points for the black iron ore vein.
Looking at Zheng Yi, he confidently stated.
"Though the place is desolate, there are no powerful forces around, just a small family dependent on the Soul Catching Sect, as well as scattered loose cultivators, absolutely safe."
Receiving the information from Steward Zhang, Zheng Yi scrutinized it seriously.
This is a small black iron ore vein, with limited reserves, which can be mined for about fifty to sixty years.
After years of mining, this black iron ore vein is approaching its end phase, likely abandoned in ten years.
Nearby, there is only one Qi Cultivation family, the Qi Family.
The Qi Family had several Late Stage Qi Cultivation experts in its early years, which fell to turmoil ten years ago, with several experts dying unexpectedly during internal strife, leading to its decline.
Now, the Qi Family is severely damaged, with its strongest being the current patriarch at Qi Cultivation Sixth Layer, relying on the Soul Catching Sect, more or less protecting the small black iron ore vein.
There are also a few scattered loose cultivators in the vicinity, with uneven strength, nothing noteworthy.
These are part of the Soul Catching Sect's peripheral forces.
An Inner Sect disciple at the Middle Stage of Qi Cultivation is enough to stabilize the situation, maintaining steady black iron essence extraction without causing issues.
"Agreed."
Zheng Yi appeared calm outwardly, but inwardly rejoiced as the information matched his desired environment perfectly.
A remote corner away from high-tier cultivator attention, suitable for hiding secrets, quietly growing, and distancing from sect's complex relations.
The black iron ore vein is so small, unlikely to attract attention, and the surrounding environment is simple, with no difficult opponents, especially no high-tier cultivators visiting such obscure corners.
Additionally, being neither too near nor far from the sect, it is a vein nearing desolation, with no strong forces around, ensuring safety.
These completely fulfill Zheng Yi's personal needs and requirements.
"Very good, glad you are satisfied."
"This task is already recorded in your Inner Sect disciple token..."
"According to the Internal Affairs Hall's regulations, having accepted the task, you are required to reach the black iron ore vein station within ten days."
"This guarding task lasts for two years, with future extensions or rotations being situation-dependent."
Steward Zhang also felt satisfied, simply assigning a guarding task yet gaining tens of low-grade spirit stones easily.
Thus, looking at Zheng Yi, his attitude became increasingly amiable.